Many people across the country photographed the Strawberry Moon this morning, watching as the moon reached its peak at 2:44 a.m. CT. But don’t worry if you missed it – the phenomenon will still be partially visible tonight.
Avid skywatchers can also spot the Milky Way, the “bright central bulge of our galaxy,” writes NASA, which should be visible through August.
Here’s what stargazers in Illinois should know.
When is the June 2025 full moon?
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, into Wednesday early morning hours is when the sweet Strawberry Moon was at its fullest, but it’ll still appear mostly full Wednesday night. The moon’s phases in June are:
Full moon will be lower in the sky in June 2025
June’s Strawberry moon will be the lowest full moon in roughly 20 years, so look closer toward the horizon. Experts say the moon’s low arc should give it a more yellowish or orange tint.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Why is June 2025 full moon so low?
The reason the moon will appear lower is because the Earth is in the midst of “a major lunar standstill,” writes EarthSky, which has to do with the moon’s orbit around the Earth.
“It’s all about the inclination of the moon’s orbit, which undergoes an 18.6-year cycle,” writes EarthSky’s John Jardine Goss. “The cycle happens because the moon’s orbit is being slowly dragged around — mostly due to the pull of the sun — every 18.6 years.”
The last major lunar standstill occurred in 2006.
What time is June 2025 full moon in Illinois?
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, moonrise for the Peoria area will happen by roughly 9:28 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, crossing the meridian at 12:52 a.m. before setting at 5:12 a.m. Thursday.
You can check moonrise and moonset times for your zip code by visiting the Old Farmer’s Almanac online.
Will skies be clear in Illinois during the full moon?
Skies in central Illinois are expected to be partly cloudy Wednesday night, June 11, with a low of around 64 and winds around 7 mph, according to an advanced forecast from the National Weather Service.
Meaning behind ‘Strawberry Moon’ name
Similar to the Pink Moon, June’s Strawberry Moon takes its name from seasonal plant growth, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Many ripening berries were ready to be harvested around this time in the northeastern United States.
Other names for June’s full moon from Native American tribes include the Birth Moon, Hot Moon, Blooming Moon, and the Green Corn Moon.
The best locations to see spot the Milky Way in Illinois
The Milky Way can best be viewed somewhere far away from bright city lights. Find a dark, safe spot out in the country where you can see more stars in the sky.
State parks and campgrounds are your best bet for clear stargazing, in locations such as Campsite 26 at Apple River Canyon State Park and the Area 4 Parking Lot at Iroquois County State Wildlife Area. A full list of the best stargazing spots in Illinois can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website.
For those in Chicago, stars will be more visible on the city lakefront, the Palos Preserves in Willow Springs and the 606 Trail at 1801 N. Ridgeway, according to a list compiled by the Adler Planetarium.
Other astronomical events happening in June 2025
If you plan on observing the night sky this month, writes NASA, keep the following dates in mind for June 2025:
Find stars, planets and constellations with these free astronomy apps
The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.
When is July 2025 full moon?
The full Buck Moon should reach peak illumination by Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Julia Gomez contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Missed the Strawberry Moon last night? Here’s where, when to see it tonight in Illinois
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall and John Tufts, USA TODAY / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
