June's Strawberry Moon serves up a low-hanging treat for skywatchers worldwide. Here are our favorite photos

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 bright moon behind stone columns, full moon and the statue of liberty, full moon glowing orange next to a large sailing boat.The June full moon rose low across the sky, treating stargazers worldwide to a stunning celestial display. Here are the best photos. (Image credit: Left to right: Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu via Getty Images, Gary Hershorn/Getty Images and Davide Pischettola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The first full moon of summer, June's Strawberry Moon, wowed skywatchers worldwide with a spectacular display.

June's full moon was the lowest-hanging full moon of the year for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. That's because a full moon always sits opposite the sun in the sky. During the summer solstice that just passed on June 21, the sun was following its highest path of the year; that means this full moon took the opposite route, skimming low across the southern sky.

It rose in the southeast, remained low above the horizon throughout the night and set in the southwest, delighting photographers around the world. Here are some of the best photos.

Photographer Davide Pischettola captured the Strawberry Moon behind the sailing ship Nave Italia in the Port of Molfetta, Italy, on June 29, 2026.

a large full moon with a pinkish orange hue sits low in the sky behind a large sailing boat.

Strawberry Moon, Port of Molfetta, Italy, June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Davide Pischettola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The June Full moon rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City in this vibrant image captured by photographer Gary Hershorn.

The full moon appears to the left of the Empire State Building, in the foreground, people are sitting outside. There are lampposts adorned with lights and two American flags are visible.

June's full moon beside 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 capture this well-positioned photograph of the Strawberry Moon atop the Empire State Building.

a fully illuminated moon appears at the very top of the Empire State Building.

The Strawberry Moon appears to sit atop the Empire State Building on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Even Lady Liberty appeared to embrace the Strawberry Moon in another striking image by Hershorn, with the full moon seemingly cradled in the Statue of Liberty's hand.

a large fully illuminated moon next to the statue of liberty, it looks like she is holding it in her hand.

Strawberry Moon and the Statue of Liberty, June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, in California, photographer Tayfun Coskun captured the Strawberry Moon emerging above San Francisco Bay in dramatic fashion.

a large strawberry red moon rises over a large body of water.

June's full moon rises over San Francisco Bay in Foster City, California on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images))

The Strawberry Moon peeked through a thin layer of cloud as it rose above an ornate rooftop in Meishan, China.

a thin sliver of full moon appearing hazy pink above an ornate rooftop structure.

June's full moon captured from Meishan, China, on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

The rich orange Strawberry Moon looks particularly striking in this image captured in Qingzhou, China, on June 29, 2026.

a full moon shines an orange rusty hue above an ornate rooftop decorated with colorful tiles and animal figures.

Full moon captured from Qingzhou, China, on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images))

Photographer Robert Nemeti captured this dark and moody image of the Strawberry Moon rising above a Reformed Church in Abaújvár, Hungary, from a vantage point just across the border near Kechnec, Slovakia.

fully illuminated moon behind wispy clouds and the silhouette of a church below.

The June full moon over a Reformed Church, Abaújvár, Hungary. Captured from just across the border near Kechnec, Slovakia. (Image credit: Robert Nemeti/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A glowing Strawberry Moon rises behind the ancient Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion in this remarkable image captured by photographer Ayhan Mehmet.

large yellow moon appears behind stone columns.

The full moon rises behind the ancient Temple of Poseidon, Greece, on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu via Getty Images))

Photographer Veysel Altun captured the June full moon rising above a dolphin sculpture on the waterfront in Samsun, Turkiye.

a large pink hued moon rises above a dolphin sculpture next to a large body of water.

Strawberry Moon captured from Samsun, Turkiye on June 29, 2026. (Image credit: Veysel Altun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A curious feline stole the spotlight as photographer Osmancan Gurdogan captured the Strawberry Moon rising over the skyline of Istanbul, Turkiye.

a black cat looks over a city with a full moon shining in the sky above.

The Strawberry Moon and a captivated admirer, Istanbul, Turkiye, 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 29 and is known as the Buck Moon.

If you're looking for a telescope or binoculars to observe the moon, our guides for the best binocular deals and the best telescope deals are here to help. Interested in capturing the night sky? Check out our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.

Fancy taking a more in-depth moonlit tour of our rocky companion? Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture, whether it be exploring the lunar seas, mountainous terrain, or the many craters that blanket the landscape. You can also see where astronauts, rovers and landers have ventured with our Apollo landing sites observing guide.

Daisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022, having previously worked as a staff writer for All About Space magazine. She completed an editorial internship with BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre, communicating space science to the public.

Daisy holds a PhD in plant physiology and a Master's in Environmental Science. Based in Nottingham, U.K., she covers all things space, with a special focus on solar activity and space weather. She also has a keen interest in astrotourism and is always on the lookout for the next northern lights adventure.

She will be a guest speaker aboard HX's Solar Eclipse Expedition in August 2026 and will join Hurtigruten as an onboard astronomer for a northern lights sailing in January 2027.

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