In a few days we are going to see one of the most interesting solar events since 2017 with a total eclipse. This “ring of fire” eclipse will be happening October 14, and it will be visible right here in New Mexico, from roughly 10:20 to 10:50 a.m.

The questions are, where is the best place to watch it, and how to safely watch it? Similar to a total solar eclipse, in this ring of fire eclipse, the moon will cover the sun but it will only cover a little bit of it in the middle, creating the “ring of fire” effect that we will see. 

According to the NASA website, an “annular” (ring-shaped) solar eclipse happens when the moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth. The moon appears smaller and doesn’t block out the entire sun when it passes in front of it. Instead, the moon leaves a bright ring of sun visible at the eclipse’s peak.

Like a total eclipse, it is very dangerous to look at it with the naked eye, so eye protection is required to look at it directly. It’s also recommended to protect camera lenses (phone cameras included). 

There are a lot of products that claim they are safe to use to look at the eclipse directly, but many of them are phony and might not help protect you. It is recommended to use handheld solar viewers or approved glasses to keep you safe while looking at it. 

But none of that matters if you don’t know where to look.

Santa Fe’s Southside Library is holding a view party (see Tattler ad), and Albuquerque is one of the best places to watch it. With a view time of 4 minutes and 50 seconds, that will provide plenty of time to bask in the greatness and snag a few photos with your protected camera lens. It will be visible from about 10:20 to 10:50, depending on where one is viewing it from. 

Los Alamos High School will be holding an event and watch party from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where they will hand out free viewing glasses. There will also be other activities happening throughout the day.