Spectacular strawberry moon enchants Frankfurt: A nighttime highlight!

Spectacular strawberry moon enchants Frankfurt: A nighttime highlight!

On Wednesday evening, June 12, 2025, the famous strawberry moon shone over Frankfurt and created a spectacular sky picture. With ideal visibility conditions, thanks to mostly clear weather, the moon was impressive in size and reddish in color, which amazed many people in Frankfurt. At around 10:30 p.m. the moon rose and attracted everyone's attention.

The Strawberry Moon, explains astronomer Michael Passarge, can appear larger when it is just above the horizon. Here, a phenomenon known as the moon illusion causes it to appear huge compared to surrounding objects such as trees or buildings. This perspective is particularly striking in the impressive skyline of Frankfurt. The term “strawberry moon” has its origins in the Algonquin culture, an indigenous people of North America, and refers to the traditional strawberry harvest in June, which has nothing to do with the color of the moon. Alternatively, the June full moon is also known as the “rose moon” or “fallow moon,” depending on regional customs and flora.

A special evening

The focus wasn't just on the color and size of the moon. This year, the Moon's orbit is particularly low in the nodal rotation cycle, making this Strawberry Moon particularly notable. Such constellations are extremely rare and are not expected again until 2043. The lunar orbit is flat in summer, providing the opportunity to enjoy the Strawberry Moon in its full glory when the moon is low in the sky, as it was on the night of June 12th.

Of course, the weather also plays a crucial role. When the sky is cloudy, the sight of the moon is often hidden. However, when visibility is clear, a truly magical experience unfolds in the night sky. This night fell precisely in a month widely known for its astronomical highlights, with other exciting events including the summer solstice on June 21, which brings the longest day of the year.

Astronomical highlights in June

In addition to the strawberry moon, June 2025 offers a variety of astronomical highlights:

• 1. Juni: Venus erreicht ihre größte westliche Elongation.
• 11. Juni: Vollmond („Erdbeermond“).
• 17. Juni: Mars nähert sich dem Stern Regulus.
• 19. Juni: Begegnung des Mondes mit Saturn.
• 21. Juni: Sommersonnenwende.
• 27. Juni: Höhepunkt des Meteorschauers Juni-Bootiden.

For amateur astronomers, June is the perfect opportunity to observe the night sky. Tips such as choosing dark places without light pollution, using a telescope or binoculars, and observing the weather are essential to fully appreciate the beauty of various celestial events. That evening, luck was on the people of Frankfurt, who were able to watch the spectacle of the strawberry moon and experience a piece of nature that will be remembered for a long time.

For detailed information about the Strawberry Moon and other astronomical events this month, it's worth taking a look at the articles from T Online, daily news and Full moon info.