Just step outside and look up!
On the night of March 13 to 14, 2025, a lunar eclipse will occur in Montreal resulting in a blood moon—no special glasses required.
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon moves through Earth's shadow, taking on a reddish-orange hue due to the scattering of sunlight by Earth's atmosphere.
It’s one of the most amazing free things to do in Montreal right now.
Last April’s solar eclipse in Montreal was a once-in-a-lifetime event (another one isn’t scheduled to pass through again until 2144), with eclipse viewing parties happening all over the city.
This year, just step outside into your backyard, onto a balcony or rooftop, or into a park for a clear view.
For the best visibility, experts recommend heading to a “dark sky” location in Canada—a spot with minimal light pollution.
When is the lunar eclipse in Montreal?
The lunar eclipse will occur between 11:57 p.m. EDT on March 13 and 5:59 a.m. EDT on March 14.
What time is the lunar eclipse in 2025 in Montreal?
Here’s the start time and end time for the lunar eclipse in Montreal 2025:
11:57 p.m. EDT: start of partiality (the Moon enters Earth’s penumbra, the faint, outer part of Earth's shadow that partially blocks sunlight from the Moon).
1:09 a.m. EDT: start of the eclipse by the umbra (the umbra is the darkest part of Earth's shadow that falls on the moon during a lunar eclipse).
2:26 a.m. EDT: entire Moon is in the umbra.
2:59 a.m. EDT: eclipse maximum (the Moon passes through the umbra’s central point).
3:31 a.m. EDT: moon is about to leave Earth’s umbra.
4:48 a.m. EDT: moon is about to leave Earth’s penumbra.
5:59 a.m. EDT: eclipse ends.
What is a blood moon?
The Moon shines by reflecting sunlight, but during a total lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks this light, causing the Moon to glow red instead of going dark.
This eerie hue has earned total lunar eclipses the nickname "Blood Moon".
The Moon turns red during totality due to Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon that makes the sky blue and creates vibrant sunrises and sunsets.
How to capture the eclipse?
Observing a lunar eclipse with the naked eye or binoculars is completely safe, and its slow progression makes it easy to photograph.
For the best shots, use ISO 400, f/8 aperture, and a focal length of 300–500 mm, adjusting shutter speed as the eclipse unfolds—while smartphone users can capture details by zooming in, reducing exposure, and recording video.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
The next total lunar eclipse will take place on the night of March 3, 2026.
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