Spectacular Strawberry Moon Illuminates Cologne: A Celestial Event!

Spectacular Strawberry Moon Illuminates Cologne: A Celestial Event!

On the night of June 11th to 12th, 2025, excitement grew in Cologne as the rare strawberry moon shimmered in the sky. This astronomical event, which only occurs in its special form every 18.6 years, thrilled numerous Cologne residents who gathered under an almost cloudless sky to admire the spectacle. The moon was particularly impressive, as it was only about 11 degrees above the horizon and therefore appeared larger and redder than usual.

The term “strawberry moon,” which refers to the time of the strawberry harvest, is in fact an interesting relic from North American Native cultures, particularly the Algonquin tribes. In addition to the “strawberry moon,” the moon is also known as the “rose moon” or “honey moon.” The spectacle was particularly visible low above the city on the Rhine, and many Cologne residents took the opportunity to follow suit with their cameras and take their own photos of the event. Reader reporter Carsten Bade was one of them - his photo, which he took around 11 p.m., perfectly captures the magical flair of the evening.

Impressive shots and from the community

But that wasn't enough - other photographers also sent in their breathtaking images of the strawberry moon. Among the submissions were impressive photos by Gabriele Koch from Bilderstöckchen and Rowaldt Fillinger, who captured the moon in a plane whizzing past in Rath-Heumar. Christine Everschor staged the full moon over the Beethoven Park complex in Cologne. These different perspectives impressively show how different the strawberry moon can appear in different parts of the city.

The moon's rare position and the resulting lunar illusion effect made the sight even more spectacular. The effect that makes the moon appear larger on the horizon is enhanced by visual reference points such as trees or buildings, which invited many Cologne residents to take part in this magical moment.

A celestial event with special conditions

The observation of the Strawberry Moon in 2025 will differ from previous years due to an extraordinary astronomical constellation. The moon's orbit is in a phase that makes it appear particularly low, guaranteeing an impressive sight. A less visible phenomenon, indicating the special cycle of the Great Lunar Standstill, also plays a role here. This is a cycle that lasts 18.6 years and affects the visibility of the moon by making it appear particularly low on the horizon and appear redder.

The team from KStA emphasizes that the strawberry moon is an ideal subject for astronomical photography and, among other things, gives valuable tips on how to best observe: look for dark places, pay attention to timing and Use the right equipment such as cameras and tripods. While the people of Cologne admired the moon, a feeling of connection emerged among the people who shared their shared experience and recorded their memories.

We would like to encourage all Cologne residents to continue to share their photos and enjoy such celestial events together. Also, stop and enjoy the beauty of our night sky — there are many more astronomical highlights waiting for us in the coming weeks!

For more information about the Strawberry Moon and its meaning, you can visit the page vollmond-info.de. Let's continue to discover the wonders of the universe!