October solar eclipse 'ring of fire' will happen during Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of two locations where NASA will be hosting live coverage of the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14. More than 500 balloons will take flight during the eclipse.
Mostly clear sky for 'Ring of Fire' eclipse on Oct. 14
The forecast for the annular solar eclipse includes mostly clear skies for the path of maximum eclipse on Oct. 14. FOX Weather will be in Albuquerque for the eclipse coverage on Saturday.
ALBUQUERQUE – When more than 500 hot air balloons take flight in Albuquerque on Oct. 14, the annular solar eclipse will be underway, offering a spectacular sight for festival attendees.
New Mexico is one of eight states along the path of the maximum eclipse where people can witness the "ring of fire," including at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest gathering of balloons.
The 51st Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta runs from Oct. 7-15.
File photo: A solar eclipse is visible from district Simeulue, Aceh, Indonesia on December 26, 2019. (Photo by Khalis Surry/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
An annular eclipse is not a total eclipse as the Moon doesn’t entirely block the sun’s light, only 90%, because an annular eclipse happens when the Moon is at its furthest point in orbit from Earth.
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The balloon festival will be a top spot to view the ring of fire, which will be visible at 10:34 a.m. MDT in New Mexico. Mass ascension at the Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 14 will begin at 9:13 a.m. local time when the eclipse is already underway. A partial eclipse ends at 12:09 p.m. MDT.
File photo: During the Mass Ascension at the opening of the International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2014. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
According to organizers, balloons will glow on the launch field in the darkness from the eclipse, creating an "eclipse glow" to celebrate the event.
Albuquerque offers ideal forecast for annular solar eclipse
The forecast is why the Balloon Fiesta happens in Albuquerque in October. According to event organizers, the October climate and a combination of weather patterns called the "Albuquerque Box" make it possible for pilots to take off and land at the same location.
Based on historical weather data, Albuquerque is an excellent choice to view the eclipse as the city averages .87 inches of rain in October.
(FOX Weather)
Temperatures will be pleasant in the upper 70s and low 80s with mostly sunny skies, including Albuquerque, with just a few clouds around.
FOX Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan and correspondent Max Gorden will be live in Albuquerque for the eclipse on Saturday.
The Fiesta is one of two locations where NASA will host live solar eclipse coverage with expert guests.
The path of the annular eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023.
NASA scientists and representatives will be at the Balloon Fiesta handing out 80,000 solar eclipse glasses. Unlike a total solar eclipse, eclipse glasses are required the entire time for an annular eclipse.
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The space agency is also hosting live coverage from the Kerrville RiverFest in Kerrville, Texas, along the path of the maximum eclipse. A large swath of Texas will be under the path of an eclipse again in 2024, when a total solar eclipse happens on April 8.