The first full moon of summer, the Strawberry Moon in June, wowed skywatchers around the world with a spectacular sight.
The June full moon was the lowest full moon of the year for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. This is because the full moon is always opposite the sun in the sky. During the summer solstice, which took place on June 21, the sun moved on its highest trajectory of the year; meaning this full moon took the opposite path, gliding low across the southern sky.
It rose in the southeast, remained low over the horizon all night and set in the southwest, delighting photographers around the world. Here are some of the best photos.
Photographer Davide Piscettola captures the Strawberry Moon behind the sailboat Nave Italia in the port of Molfetta, Italy, June 29, 2026.
Strawberry Moon, Molfetta port, Italy, June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Davide Pischettola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The June full moon rises behind the skyline of downtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City in this vibrant image taken by photographer Gary Hershorn.
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June full moon near the Empire State Building, June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images))
Hershorn was also in the right place at the right time to take this well-placed photo of the Strawberry Moon atop the Empire State Building.
The Strawberry Moon appears to be on top of the Empire State Building on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
Even Lady Liberty appeared to be hugging the Strawberry Moon in another of Hershorn’s striking images: the full moon appeared to rest in the hand of the Statue of Liberty.
Strawberry Moon and Statue of Liberty, June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, in California, photographer Typhoon Coskun spectacularly captured the strawberry moon appearing over the San Francisco Bay.
The June full moon rises over the San Francisco Bay in Foster City, California on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Typhoon Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images))
A strawberry moon peeks through a thin layer of clouds as it rises above an ornate rooftop in Meishan, China.
The June full moon captured in Meishan, China on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
The deep orange strawberry moon looks especially striking in this photo taken in Qingzhou, China, June 29, 2026.
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A full moon captured in Qingzhou, China on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images))
Photographer Robert Némethy captured this dark and moody shot of a strawberry moon rising over the Reformed Church in Abaujvár, Hungary, from a vantage point just across the border near Kechnets, Slovakia.
June full moon over the Reformed Church, Abaujvar, Hungary. Taken just across the border near Kecenc, Slovakia. (Image credit: Robert Nemethy/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In this stunning image by photographer Ayhan Mehmet, a glowing strawberry moon rises above the ancient Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
The full moon rises behind the ancient Temple of Poseidon in Greece on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu via Getty Images))
Photographer Veysel Altun captured the June full moon rising over a dolphin sculpture on the waterfront in Samsun, Türkiye.
Strawberry Moon taken in Samsun, Türkiye on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Veysel Altun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The curious feline turned heads when photographer Osmancan Gurdogan captured a strawberry moon rising above the skyline of Istanbul, Türkiye.
Strawberry moon and enchanted admirer, Istanbul, Türkiye, June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Osmancan Gurdogan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will occur on July 29th and will be called the Buck Moon.
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