Heads up, Vancouver Island — literally.
The full Strawberry Moon is set to rise tonight (Tuesday, June 10th), and this one’s extra special. Not only will it glow low and golden in the night sky, but it’s also tied to a rare lunar event that only happens once every 18 years.
Despite the name, it won’t look pink or red like a strawberry. The name comes from Indigenous cultures that used it to mark the time of year when wild strawberries were ripe and ready to harvest — typically around June’s full moon.
This year’s version comes with a bonus as it lines up with a major lunar standstill, something that only happens every 18.6 years. Because of this, the moon will rise and set at its most extreme points on the horizon, making it look even lower and more stretched out across the sky than usual.
On Vancouver Island, moonrise happens around 10:34 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, June 10th), and it’ll hit its peak brightness just after midnight, around 12:44 a.m. on Wednesday.
That means you’ve got two chances to check it out:
- Head outside just after sunset and look east to watch it rise
- Or wake up early and look west before sunrise to catch it setting
Either way, thanks to something called the Moon Illusion, it’ll look way bigger than usual when it’s near the horizon — kind of like a giant glowing balloon floating just above the trees.
The next full moon will rise on July 10th, and if you’re into skywatching, things really start heating up this fall. There’s a total lunar eclipse in September, followed by three supermoons in a row to close out the year — in October, November, and December.
But tonight? It’s all about the Strawberry Moon.
So grab a hoodie, head outside, and enjoy one of the most beautiful sights the night sky has to offer.
