Orchard Homes.

The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Orchard Homes, MT. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.

Bortle Scale
3
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
21.65
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
5
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Orchard Homes

  • Top Community Pick: Blue Mountain Observatory (~5.6 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 2.0 at nimí·pu· Camp
  • Local Experts: Western Montana Astronomical Association
  • Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots

If you’re looking to escape the light pollution of Orchard Homes, you’re in luck. While enthusiasts often gather at Blue Mountain Observatory for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at nimí·pu· Camp provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 2.0. The transition between the urban infrastructure of Orchard Homes and the more rural stretches of MT creates several ‘dark sky’ corridors.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Orchard Homes

For the best results in Orchard Homes, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.

Expert Tips for Orchard Homes Observers

Because Blue Mountain Observatory is a developed site, it often features established viewing pads and specialized equipment. For the best views the site, try to observe targets when they are highest in the sky to minimize atmospheric interference. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.

Local Top Spots

Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.

Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 90%

Blue Mountain Observatory

5.6 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Missoula, MT 59847
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 65%

Missoula Public Library

4.3 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Missoula, MT 59802
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Community Gathering Point Confidence: 55%

UM Planetarium - Payne Family Native American Center

4 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Missoula, MT 59812
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Community Gathering Point Confidence: 52.5%

Andrea Luckett's House

4 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Missoula, MT 59801
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Community Gathering Point Confidence: 52.5%

Marc Binney's House

21.8 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Arlee, MT 59821
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Scientific Audit

NPS Sky Measurements

Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.

nimí·pu· Camp

Big Hole NB

21.41 SQM
Bortle Class 2

"Set up camera equipment on the trail to the camp. Clouds in the afternoon all cleared out by 9:00 pm, though it appeared as if some fire smoke moved through the northern horizon later in the night. Excellent night sky viewing from this park, rivaling sites on the Colorado Plateau. A single yard light on a ranch building 2.5 miles north was bothersome, otherwise no visible lights seen from this location. A very faint light dome from Butte (60 miles distant) and nothing apparent from Wisdom, the nearest community (9 miles). Very fine detail visble in the Milky Way, with the Prancing Horse easily seen and the dust lanes in great detail. Stars are visible to the horizon in the south. Saw limiting magnitude star of 7.2 in Draco. Mars and Jupiter very bright to the SE and SW."

Observation Date
7/8/2018
Elevation
1884m
Zenith Brightness
21.4

Huckleberry Mtn

Glacier NP

21.65 SQM
Bortle Class 3

"Instrument set up on ridge just NW of the lookout. Seeing good, transparency very good. Glow to the northwest from airglow or aurora, not as bright east or southeast. Small light dome due north, fainter than Jupiter, another fainter smaller light dome northeast. Toward Columbia Falls lots of light, bright white glare illuminating the mountains from some sort of industrial yard, at least 10 unshielded lights visible, bright enough to kill night vision, casts shadows. Wonderful sky if you can get away from the glare. Milky Way directly overhead, very bright with much detail in Cygnus, all the rifts and holes apparent, North America nebula an easy visual object. Also in Cassiopeia much detail, bridge in the MIlky Way north of Mirfak visible. Sagittarius Milky Way washed out by Columbia falls area, the light dome of which extends 30 degrees from horizon upward, 40-50 degrees wide."

Observation Date
9/12/2009
Elevation
2013m
Zenith Brightness
21.59

International Dark Sky Parks

Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.

IDA Certified Distance: 100.0 miles

Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge

The Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge is located in Pleasant Valley, nestled in the Salish Mountains of northwestern Montana, United States.

Category
International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Certified
2022
Land Area
37.3 km2
Coordinates
48.1892, -114.9123
IDA Certified Distance: 127.2 miles

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, and Glacier National Park in Montana, U.S., are collectively the first IDA International Dark Sky Parks…

Category
Dark Sky Park
Certified
2017
Land Area
4,606 km2
Coordinates
48.6875, -113.8051

Local Astronomy Clubs

Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#593

Western Montana Astronomical Association

Missoula, MT

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#452

Big Sky Astronomy Club

Kalispell, MT