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Annular Solar Eclipse

On Saturday, October 14, 2023 the Sun, Moon, and Earth will align perfectly together to produce an annular solar eclipse. This eclipse will create a path of darkness stretching from the Oregon coast to south Texas. To celebrate this annular eclipse, we are hosting in-person and virtual viewing events.

While the eclipse will be partially visible across the entire United States, Mexico, and many countries in South and Central America, the path of annularity is the best place to observe the eclipse. This is due to the Sun being almost completely covered by the Moon's shadow. This phenomena will show a ring around the Moon, that some refer to as the “Ring of Fire”.

In the United States, the annular solar eclipse will begin in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PST and end in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT. Our viewing events will provide an opportunity for attendees to witness this celestial phenomenon. For more information about our in-person event, please continue reading below

Sun, Moon, and You

Embrace the Dark, Celebrate the Light

Image of hot air balloons

The Sun, Moon, and You solar eclipse viewing event at the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, in conjunction with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as an annular eclipse will not cross paths with Albuquerque while the Balloon Fiesta is happening in our lifetime.

This event is a collaborative effort between NOAA, NSF, and NASA, aiming to provide attendees with an unforgettable experience. The solar eclipse viewing event will feature presentations from experts across the country, covering various topics related to solar eclipses and the Sun, including the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. Each agency will have dedicated tents, along with an astronomy-based tent and a Ham Radio tent, complete with a Ham Radio Portable Station. To ensure the safety of attendees, telescopes with special filters, sun spotters, solar glasses, and solar viewers will be available for observing the eclipse and the Sun. 

Please visit this page as it will be updated with more information regarding activities and coverage of the eclipse.

Schedule

Time In (MDT) Description Who is involved
8:00 AM Start of Event/Welcome/Introduce VIP Eric Green (KOAT Meteorologist)
8:05 AM NOAA Welcome Dr. Morgan
8:10 AM MC Eric Green 
8:12 AM NSF Welcome Dr. Karen Marrongelle
8:17 AM MC Eric Green
8:19 AM NASA VIP Welcome Nicky Fox
8:24 AM MC Eric Green
8:26 AM COSI Cloud Demo with VIPs Dr. Frederick Bertley
8:34 AM MC Eric Green 
8:36 AM Talk: Eye Safety Jim Greenhouse (Space Science Director at NM Museum of Natural History & Science)
8:46 AM MC Eric Green 
8:48 AM Talk: What is a solar eclipse, how does it pertain to us, and how can we view safely - lead into the start of the eclipse for US Dr. Elsayed Talaat - Director, NOAA Space Weather Office
9:03 AM What is an annular eclipse? Previously Recorded
9:03 AM Dawn Patrol Previously Recorded
9:09 AM AAS Safety Video Previously Recorded
9:13 AM Live feed from Albuquerque - Beginning of eclipse Live
9:23 AM Introduce next panel Eric Green 
9:28 AM Panel: Why do we study the Sun?  Nicky Fox (NASA), Bill Murtaugh (NOAA/NWS), and Carrie Black (NSF)
10:10 AM An Introduction to Space Weather and the Space Weather Prediction Center Previously Recorded
10:15 AM 5 Things Space Weather Previously Recorded
10:19 AM Talk: How do Solar Eclipses affect the Ionosphere from a Ham Radio Perspective (15m talk with 5m Q&A) Bill Mader (Ham Radio)
10:34 AM Live feed from NASA for Albuquerque eclipse annularity Live
10:55 AM Talk: Get ready for TOTALITY 2024! (15m talk with 5m Q&A) Jim Greenhouse
11:15 AM Introduce Alessandra Abe Pacini Eric Green
11:17 AM Talk: Connections through Eclipses (15m talk with 7m Q&A) Alessandra Abe Pacini (NOAA/NCEI)
11:40 AM Introduce next speaker Eric Green
11:42 AM Presentation  
11:55 AM Pre-recorded Closing Remarks Dr. Elsayed Talaat
12:00 PM Conclusion