Don't look into the sun: Annular eclipse is a special event, but you have to be careful

Solar eclipses are rare and special events, and NASA says Saturday’s will be visible across much of New Mexico, including Santa Fe and Roswell.

Albuquerque also promises to be among the best-positioned places in the country to view the eclipse, since it is directly in the path of the eclipse’s center line.

For months, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has been putting together a statewide list of where to watch the annular eclipse.

Jim Greenhouse, space science director at the museum, and Jayne Aubele, adult program educator, have been keeping up with the events leading up to the celestial event.

An annular eclipse is one of two varieties of a solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and sun.

By sheer coincidence, the moon’s diameter is 400 times smaller than the sun’s, but the moon also is about 400 times closer to the Earth, so both appear to be roughly the same size in the sky.

However, the moon’s orbit is oblong, so the distance between the Earth’s surface and moon changes continuously. Sometimes, the moon is just far enough away that it can’t quite cover the entire sun. That creates an annular eclipse, in which a ring of the sun’s surface is still visible around the moon. The “ring of light” effect is associated with an annular eclipse in contrast to a total eclipse, where just the sun’s corona is visible.

Aubele says Saturday’s annular eclipse will be on a path very similar to another annular eclipse in 2012.

“Having two nearly identical eclipses only 11 years apart is quite the coincidence,” Aubele says. “On average, it takes 375 years for eclipses of the sun to pass over the same parts of the Earth.”

The annular eclipse is also happening during the last Saturday of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The eclipse begins at roughly 9:13 a.m., after the planned mass ascension.

Aubele says because the sun is not fully obscured, there is no point during an annular eclipse where it is safe to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection.

According to the New Mexico Department of Health, exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns. This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage has occurred. Symptoms include loss of central vision, distorted vision and altered color vision. If you notice symptoms after viewing a solar eclipse, seek treatment from an eye care professional immediately.

“When it comes to witnessing the October 14 solar eclipse, choosing the right eye protection is non-negotiable,” state Health Secretary Patrick Allen says in a statement. “Ensure your safety with ISO 12312-2 labeled solar eclipse glasses, pinhole projection or Number 14 welder’s glasses. Prioritize your eyesight, as ‘eclipse blindness’ is a silent danger.”

Kelly Korreck, a NASA program scientist who serves as head of science operations and project manager for the Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons, or SWEAP, has been in Albuquerque for nearly a week preparing for the annular eclipse.

When the eclipse begins on Saturday, Korreck and her team will be on the ground at the Balloon Fiesta.

“NASA has been involved with Balloon Fiesta in the past,” Korreck says. “This year is so special because this is a natural phenomenon.”

In addition to launching and watching more than 500 hot air balloons during its mass ascensions, the annular solar eclipse will start becoming visible in the midst of it.

New Mexico is one of eight states in the path of the solar eclipse to have a view of the “ring of fire,” leaving a thin outer ring visible, making Balloon Fiesta Park a prime location to view the eclipse’s totality.

Beginning at 9:13 a.m., the partial eclipse will continue progressing into the annularity eclipse of the ring of fire at 10:34 a.m. The ring of fire will burn for about 4 minutes and 50 seconds. The annular eclipse will end at 10:39 a.m. and the partial eclipse at 12:09 p.m.

In celebration of the eclipse, Balloon Fiesta guests will be able to enjoy a scheduled mass ascension followed by an “eclipse glow.” The eclipse glow will feature 75 balloons glowing on the launch field in the darkness from the eclipse.

NASA will be broadcasting from the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum and will be giving away 80,000 solar eclipse viewing glasses for Balloon Fiesta guests to enjoy the event. Also, the tent will include NASA experts offering engaging presentations, exhibits, and more about the eclipse and their mission.

In addition to live-streaming the eclipse, NASA officials will also be sending three rockets into the Earth’s atmosphere, before, during and after the eclipse from White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico.

“These are great rocket experiments and our focus is the sun and the moon,” Korreck says. “We are looking at the Earth’s reaction to the sudden on/off of daylight.”

• From 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, there will be an opportunity to view the annular eclipse from the museum grounds. There will also be hand-on activities and information about the sun and moon.

Aubele says experts from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be at the museum to talk about the eclipse.

There will also be an opportunity to view the live feed of the eclipse from all over the country.

• Bernalillo County will also host an event from 8 a.m.-noon at Los Vencinos Community Center in Tijeras. In addition to a special focus on the eclipse, the event features live music, a dedicated play area for children, a variety of artisan vendors, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. Car-pooling is strongly recommended. Free parking is available at nearby A. Montoya Elementary School and Roosevelt Middle School, as well as a convenient park and ride option at Tijeras Village Hall.

Complimentary eclipse viewing glasses will be provided. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs for comfortable viewing.

Aubele says there will be events happening all over the Department of Cultural Affairs historic sites and museums. A list can be found at nmculture.org/new-mexico-eclipse.