Skywatchers in the UAE and across the region are in for a rare astronomical double event on the nights of 10 and 11 June, as the Strawberry Moon coincides with the Major Lunar Standstill, a pairing not seen in nearly two decades. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the moon will appear at its brightest at 3.44am on 11 June.
The Major Lunar Standstill occurs only once every 18.6 years, when the Moon’s orbit reaches its maximum tilt. This causes the Moon to rise and set at its most extreme northern and southern points on the horizon, creating a striking visual shift that can be observed without a telescope.
The full moon on 11 June, dubbed the Strawberry Moon by Native American tribes for the wild strawberries that ripen in June, will glow with a subtle rose hue as it climbs into view. In the UAE, observatories and astronomy groups are encouraging residents to take to rooftops or desert spots with clear views of the horizon to fully enjoy the spectacle.
Earlier this month, the Moon reached apogee, its farthest point from Earth, and more cosmic activity is on the way, including a close encounter with Saturn on 19 June, and the summer solstice on 21 June, the longest day of the year marking the beginning of summer.
But for now, all eyes are on the Strawberry Moon and Major Lunar Standstill tonight, which will be a once-in-a-generation spectacle in the night sky, a sight that won’t return until 2043.