Return of the “Strawberry Moon” to Istanbul’s Sky After 18 Years; The Full Pink Moon Heralds the Summer

Last night, the residents of Istanbul witnessed a rare sight in the sky — a phenomenon known as the Strawberry Moon, which appeared once again over the city after 18 years. This breathtaking event, which is regarded in old calendars as a sign of the end of spring and the beginning of summer, decorated the sky with shades of pink and amber, creating postcard-like scenes over the Bosphorus and other parts of the city.

The Strawberry Moon, a rarely occurring event, was visible in the early hours of the morning this year and lasted only 25 minutes. Due to humidity and fine dust particles in the atmosphere, this full moon emitted a unique glow in pink and amber hues, astonishing astronomy enthusiasts.

Why is it called the Strawberry Moon?

This astronomical phenomenon derives its name from the strawberry harvest season in the northern hemisphere. In traditional farming calendars, this full moon marked the beginning of the strawberry harvest, and hence it was named the “Strawberry Moon”.

A Rare Display in Istanbul’s Sky

The full moon in this cycle appeared differently than usual, with a gentle pink glow in the sky — a phenomenon that occurs only once every 18 years in such a dazzling form. This rare beauty led many citizens to capture the moment using cameras, binoculars, and telescopes.

"The Strawberry Moon is not just an astronomical event but also a symbolic message of the start of the warm season."

It is predicted that this phenomenon will occur again the following night with less intensity. Sky watchers still have another chance to witness this magnificent natural display.