The standstill, when the moon is at its northernmost or southernmost point, occurs because the moon's orbit is slowly dragged around in an 18.6-year cycle by the gravitational pull of the sun.

This is known as a "lunar standstill" and only happens every couple of decades; this particular Strawberry Moon was extra special! The moon was at its peak between midnight and 1 a.m.

September’s full moon will be a “blood moon” total lunar eclipse, though it won’t be visible in North America. The full strawberry moon rises on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, over Cardiff, Wales.