National Eclipse

ECLIPSE OVERVIEW

The centerline of the eclipse enters New Mexico at approximately 9:11am MDT, with annularity beginning in that location at about 10:30am MDT.

The 2023 eclipse cuts right across the heart of New Mexico on a diagonal from its northwestern corner to its southeastern corner. New Mexico, with its high desert landscapes, promises a great chance for cloud-free skies on eclipse day. In fact, eclipse weather forecasting site eclipsophile.com says the Colorado Plateau region of New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado offers the "best eclipse-watching weather along the track."

If you'd like to attempt to view an eclipse from four different states at the same time, make plans to be at the Four Corners Monument on eclipse day, but be prepared to have some competition. The famous tourist attraction marking the only point in the U.S. shared by four states will likely be swarming with eclipse viewers on October 14 vying for that same distinction. Time will tell whether Navajo Nation, which administers the site, will limit visitor capacity that day.

Beyond the Four Corners area, and along the first stretch of its journey through the Land of Enchantment, the path of annularity crosses over parts of several Native American reservations, including lands belonging to the Ute, Navajo, Apache, and Pueblo peoples. Notably, the eclipse centerline passes directly over the fabulous Chaco Culture National Historical Park, one of the most extensive collections of pre-Columbian ruins in the U.S.

Farther on, the eclipse meets up with some of the largest cities along its path since Oregon. Santa Fe is located rather close to the eastern limit of the path, with an annularity duration a bit more modest than other locations closer to the eclipse centerline: about 2 minutes and 48 seconds in the downtown area. But what Santa Fe lacks in duration of annularity it more than makes up for with its artistic vibe and Southwestern architecture, ensuring that New Mexico's capital city will be a popular eclipse viewing destination on October 14. Just outside Santa Fe, the eclipse crosses over the Ancestral Puebloan ruins at Bandelier National Monument.

Albuquerque, the second largest city along the eclipse path in the U.S., is perfectly positioned for the eclipse centerline to pass directly over it, resulting in durations of annularity that surpass the 4-minute mark all around the city. In downtown Albuquerque, the ring of fire will burn for about 4 minutes and 50 seconds, only about 12 seconds short of the eclipse maximum in the United States. The eclipse happens to coincide with Albuquerque's annual International Balloon Fiesta, all but guaranteeing that the city will be jam-packed with visitors on October 14.

Albuquerque sits at the crosshairs of Interstate 40 and Interstate 25. I-40 runs across the width of the path from west to east while I-25 takes a more north-south heading. On the west side of the eclipse path, I-25 can be used to reach annularity from El Paso in under three hours. On the east side, Amarillo is an even shorter drive away via I-40.

Finally, it's worth noting that the eclipse does indeed cross over the city of Roswell, New Mexico. You can bet that more than a few people will want to witness the otherworldly phenomenon of a solar eclipse from the UFO capital of the world. Luckily, Roswell is located relatively close to the centerline and annularity will last for about 4 minutes and 42 seconds in the downtown district.

The centerline of the eclipse exits the state at approximately 12:19pm MDT, with annularity coming to an end in that location at about 10:46am MDT. From the Arizona-New Mexico border to the New Mexico-Texas border, the Moon's shadow travels approximately 442 miles along the centerline in about 10 minutes and 44 seconds at an average speed of 2,471 miles per hour.