Events

The Museum is the Perfect Viewing Spot for the Ring of Fire Eclipse

Join us on the morning of October 14th, 2023, at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History for a viewing of the Ring of Fire eclipse.

Beginning at 9:11 the moon will be farther away from the Earth than usual in its orbit, allowing for a ring of the visible sun to peek out from behind the moon during the peak of the eclipse. Visitors can view the eclipse from Heritage Park with paid museum admission.

What to Expect

The eclipse on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, will be an annular solar eclipse. An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. Because the Sun is never completely covered, observers must wear proper eye protection at all times while watching an annular eclipse.

What you can see during an annular eclipse depends on the weather and the location from which you view it. In Albuquerque, the start of the annular solar eclipse will begin at 9:13 am MDT with maximum visibility happening at 10:36 and ending at 12:09 pm

Protect Your Eyes

During an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. The Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon during an annular solar eclipse. Therefore, during an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

For more information about purchasing please contact Molly Brunell at the Museum store at 505.245.2137