The summer solstice and a look at the last full moon

South Wales Argus

21-06-2025

This is the point in the year when the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, marking the astronomical start of summer for the northern half of the globe, whilst for the southern half, the day marks the astronomical start of winter.
'Midsummer' marks the 'longest day' and the 'shortest night' of the year with the maximum amount of daylight hours possible, and the fewest number of night hours.
The recent full Moon was of particular interest as it was not only one of the furthest full Moons of the year, but the lowest full Moon in 19 years, barely making its way above the horizon at the very minimum of altitudes.
This all meant that June's Strawberry Full Moon was at a point astronomers refer to as a 'lunar standstill' or 'lunistice', and if we didn't catch the event in 2025, we'd have to wait until June 2043 when it was next set to occur.
With unfavourable conditions on both Monday, June 9, and the night of the full Moon itself, Tuesday, June 10, it was left to Wednesday evening as the last chance saloon.
On the night in question, I teamed up with Pontypool-based photographer Matt Jones. The first choice of site to view the spectacle was the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre where we'd hope to catch the Moon against the spectacular backdrop of Pen y Fan.
However, having moved position from the visitor centre to what we thought was a slightly better vantage point just along the mountain road, it became evident that the Moon was not going to sufficiently clear the mountains to be visible, so a revised plan was required.
The next attempt was at Bwlch where the Moon's yellowy glow could be seen projecting itself from behind a ridge but still too low to actually see it. Onward we pressed into Crickhowell which again failed to deliver before heading through Govilon and swinging back to climb up to the Keeper's Pond in Blaenavon.
Here, tucked in off the main road, the Moon finally availed itself and being completely unscientific, its portrayal was straight off an artist's canvas. Subtly shrouded at times by a thin layer of cloud at a lower level, it was quite mesmerising to watch.
With the light of the Moon at such a low position in the night sky and passing through the thickest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, it had taken on a distinct mellow yellow guise before gradually appearing less so, (more the familiar 'white' appearance), as it slowly climbed during the very early hours of Thursday morning.
With cloud occasionally passing in front of the Moon, the pursuit had been well worth it, with a definite sense of fulfilment. Thanks to Matt's persistence and determination, he captured this tremendous image of the Moon that night.
The International Space Station's changing orbital path means that this week it cannot be seen from our skies.
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