Key Highlights :
     Tonight (June 3), skywatchers across the globe will be treated to a spectacular sight in the night sky – the full Strawberry Moon. Rising at 8:21 p.m. local time, the moon will be illuminated by the sun and will flaunt its glory throughout the weekend in the constellation Scorpius. It will be joined by Jupiter, Mars and a half Venus in the night sky, making this a sight that is not to be missed!
     The full moon, which will be visible all night in the night sky, will be best seen in New York City at 11:42 p.m. ET (0342 GMT on June 4). It will be visible about 10 degrees above the southeast horizon and will set at 5:24 a.m. local time. Soon after, Mars and Venus will show themselves in the western sky as well. Venus, currently over 67 million miles (109 million kilometers) away from Earth, will be a bright white speck about 22 degrees above the horizon while the Red Planet, having just swept through the starry Beehive Cluster, can be seen not far off at 28 degrees above the horizon.
     Skywatchers will also be able to spot Antares, a red supergiant star on its deathbed about 604 light-years from Earth and the brightest member of the Scorpius constellation, slightly to the moon's upper right. Jupiter will share the night sky as well, rising an hour before local sunrise about 11 degrees high in the southeast.
     Aside from enjoying the full moon tonight, skywatchers can turn their telescopes towards Venus to see the hellish planet at dichotomy, meaning half of its visible disk will be dark. A filter will help bring out the darkened portion of the planet's face. The moon's bright profile will make it difficult to identify the craters and mountains on its surface using binoculars or a small telescope, although special filters may help to increase contrast.
     If you are hoping to catch a look at the full moon or any other sights in the night sky, our guides to the best telescopes and best binoculars are a great place to start. And if you're looking to take your own photos of the moon or night sky in general, check out our guide on how to photograph the moon, as well as our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.
     After June 3, the moon will begin rising an hour later each night while also waning (meaning its illuminated portion is growing smaller) and will finally be lost in the sun's glare with the new moon on June 18. Don't miss your chance to witness this beautiful sight – the Strawberry Moon rising tonight!