Saturday - October 14, 2023

Annular Solar Elipse

Annular Solar "Ring of Fire" Eclipse in the Park - eclipse glasses provided. Viewing location will be near main entrance vault toilet & upper parking lot. Bring a chair - Be prompt - 9 am. 

On October 14, 2023, the moon will pass in front of the sun, and an annular eclipse will be visible over much of the United States and Central and South America. Unlike a total solar eclipse, the moon will not completely block the sun and make day appear like night. It will, however, make the sun appear like a thin ring of fire and has opportunities to be equally exciting to photograph. The difference between an annular and a total eclipse is that the moon’s orbit varies slightly in its distance from Earth. If an eclipse occurs when the moon is at a farther point during its orbit, it will appear slightly smaller and not large enough to cover the sun completely. 

The partial eclipse will begin at 9:13 AM and end by 12:09 PM. In Albuquerque, New Mexico the duration of annularity will be for 4 minutes and 48 seconds with the maximum annularity at 10:37 AM.

Meet at the main park entrance, 1/2 mile north of Cerrillos Village on County Road 59.

To help streamline your arrival, bring $5 exact cash or check to pay the park fee of $5 per vehicle and follow the self-permit process upon arrival.

Free with a valid New Mexico State Park pass.

photo credit: NASA/Bill Dunford