Strawberry moon over Munich: an anomaly caused by Canadian forest fires?

Strawberry moon over Munich: an anomaly caused by Canadian forest fires?

On the evening of June 11, 2025, a very special celestial event will take place over Munich: the Strawberry Moon. This full moon, rising in the east around 10 p.m., will light up the night with an orange-reddish glow. The special color probably comes from dust particles that come from the devastating forest fires in Canada. These events, like the South German reported, make the sight even more fascinating.

The name “Strawberry Moon” has its origins in the time of the strawberry harvest, which reaches its peak in June. To properly enjoy the moon, clear visibility of the eastern horizon is essential. Quiet places such as the Olympiaberg in Munich, where light pollution is lowest, are particularly chosen for such observations. Anyone who goes hunting for the strawberry moon will not be disappointed.

An influence of forest fires

But it's not just the beauty of the strawberry moon that attracts attention. The yellow and orange-reddish hue seen during the moon and sunsets is caused by increased particles in the atmosphere. These particles come from the terrible forest fires in Canada that reached Europe in early June. Loud MDR The first major cloud of smoke swept over the Mediterranean region in May.

These extraordinary observations are the result of an improved lidar system used at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (Tropos). This technology can detect smoke particles at high altitudes and reveal where such particles are located, even if they remain undetected using standard methods. This discovery highlights that air pollution from wildfire smoke may be higher than previously thought and its impact on the atmosphere is important.

An impressive evening

For sky watchers in Munich, the Strawberry Moon will provide a breathtaking spectacle despite the serious background of the forest fires. The additional particles in the air could also influence the play of light from the sun and moon, giving nature a special atmosphere. The interplay between natural light and environmental damage is another impetus to develop mindfulness for our planet. The view of the strawberry moon will already be possible in Bavaria the night before, but the highlight remains tonight.

How Mirror As recently reported, the extent of the wildfires in Canada is dramatic and will continue to have an impact on the weather and air quality in Europe. It remains to be seen how this geographical and atmospheric influence will develop further. But one thing is already certain: the strawberry moon will be a fascinating sight, especially on the night of June 11th in Munich, that will make you wonder and think.