Montana Blood Moon Viewing Guide: When To Watch

Montana’s weather has been anything but predictable lately — but one upcoming early-morning event could reward sky watchers across the state with something pretty incredible.

A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon, will be visible across much of Montana early Tuesday morning, March 3, according to Space.com.

During a lunar eclipse, Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that gives the moon a deep red or copper color — creating the dramatic “blood red moon” effect.

For Montana viewers, the best viewing window is expected to be between 4:15 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. If you want to catch the peak of the eclipse, you’ll either need to set an early alarm or stay up late. The totality of the eclipse should last for 58 minutes.

The good news? Forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate many areas across Montana could have clear enough skies for excellent viewing on Tuesday morning.

That’s especially important because clouds are expected to move back into the region later in the week, meaning this could allow us to see the eclipse clearly.

No special equipment is needed to enjoy the event. Just step outside, look toward the western sky, and watch as the moon slowly transforms into a glowing red orb above Montana.

If you're a fan of rare sky events, this is one worth losing a little sleep over. We can't wait to see your pictures.