According to the University of New Mexico (“UNM”), this Saturday, October 14, 2023, the southwestern United States will experience a solar eclipse. Albuquerque will see an annular eclipse. At the peak, the moon will block all but a small ring around the edge of the sun.
In Albuquerque, the eclipse will begin at 9:13 AM (as the moon begins to block the sun). The peak will be at 10:36 AM and last for 4 minutes and 8 seconds. At the peak, only a small ring of the sun will remain visible. The eclipse will end at 12:09 PM.
For more information, you may visit the UNM’s eclipse-related webpage HERE.
The New Mexico Department of Health (“NMDOH”) issued a Press Release today, providing guidance on how to safely view the solar eclipse this Saturday, October 14, 2023. Here is the Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2023
Reminder: protect your eyes during Saturday’s solar eclipse
SANTA FE — On October 14, New Mexicans will be able to witness a solar eclipse and should be aware of the steps they can take to protect their eyesight if they want to view the event.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon moves between the sun and the earth. It is never safe to look at a partial solar eclipse without proper safety equipment or techniques.
“When it comes to witnessing the October 14 solar eclipse, choosing the right eye protection is non-negotiable,” said Patrick Allen, Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH). “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.”
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.
Here are a few safe ways to view a solar eclipse:
- Expert-approved solar eclipse glasses: Make sure they meet safety requirements and are labeled with the ISO 12312-2 standard.
- Make a pinhole projection: This helps you avoid looking directly at the eclipse by using a projected image. This is the safest and cheapest way to view a solar eclipse.
- Number 14 welder’s glasses: These can be found at local welder’s supply stores.
- Mylar filters: Plastic mylar sheets that can be cut and made into viewing boxes.
If you are planning a gathering to view the solar eclipse, Prevent Blindness has a toolkit you can use to prepare.
These are some things you should NOT use to view a solar eclipse:
- Smartphones: Watching a solar eclipse on your smartphone camera can put you at risk of accidentally looking at the sun when trying to line up the camera. It could also damage your smartphone camera.
- Camera viewfinders: Your eyes can still be damaged in the same way as looking directly at the solar eclipse.
- Unsafe filters: Unless specifically designed for viewing a solar eclipse, no filter is safe to use with any optical device (telescopes, binoculars, etc.).
For more information visit preventblindness.org.
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NMDOH
David Barre, Communications Coordinator | david.barre@doh.nm.gov | (505) 699-9237