Editor’s note: Live streaming of the eclipse from the path of totality begins in the player above from 7am. Tune in for live coverage from 1:55 p.m
Look up! A total solar eclipse will occur Monday afternoon, giving more than a dozen states and countless cities the chance to see a rare astronomical phenomenon that won’t be visible again in the U.S. for another 20 years.
Several Midwestern states are in the path of totality for Monday’s event, including Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Chicago will experience a partial solar eclipse, with approximately 94% of the sun covered.
“The solar eclipses that are going to happen, for the most part, that are going to be visible in our area after that, are not going to be to the extent that this is,” Michelle Nichols, director of public observation at the Adler Planetarium, said. NBC Chicago. “So we’ll see 94% of the sun covered [in Chicago] and almost all of them in the next few decades in our area will not have 94% coverage from the sun. So if you want to see this, this will be your last chance for a while.”
“This may be the most watched solar eclipse ever,” Nichols added.
MORE: Some solar eclipse glasses recalled. Here’s what you need to know
NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeans called the event “the largest solar eclipse in the US in our lifetime.”
What is a total solar eclipse?
According to NASA scientists, a total solar eclipse occurs when the new moon crosses the sun’s path in the sky, causing the sun to be partially and then almost completely blocked from view.
In Carbondale, the largest city in Illinois included in the path, the total eclipse will begin at approximately 1:59 p.m. The total eclipse is expected to end at approximately 2:03 p.m., as the eclipse follows a diagonal line over Fairfield and exits at Mount Carmel, according to state officials.
If you’re in the Chicago area, that means you won’t be able to see the eclipse in its entirety — but there’s a silver lining: The partial eclipse will still be visible for a while. For areas outside the path of totality such as Chicago, solar eclipse glasses should be worn.
Here’s a city-by-city breakdown of what you can expect and when, by time and date. Check your city here.
Cook County:
Chicago
Partial eclipse starts: 12:51:28
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:41
End of partial eclipse: 3:22:02
Evanston
Partial eclipse starts: 12:51:38
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:45
End of partial eclipse: 3:22:00
Orland Park
Partial eclipse starts: 12:50:48
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:10
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:42
Schaumburg
Partial eclipse starts: 12:51:05
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:10
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:29
DuPage County:
Aurora
Partial eclipse starts: 12:50:22
Maximum eclipse: 2:06:37
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:07
pawnbroker
Partial eclipse starts: 12:50:57
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:09
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:33
Wheaton
Partial eclipse starts: 12:50:48
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:00
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:25
Dekalb County:
Dekalb
Partial eclipse starts: 12:50:03
Maximum eclipse: 2:06:09
End of partial eclipse: 3:20:36
Lake County:
Fox Lake
Partial eclipse starts: 12:51:29
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:20
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:26
Kendall County:
Plainfield
Partial eclipse starts: 12:50:19
Maximum eclipse: 2:06:39
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:14
Illinois Cities on the Road to Wholeness
For those who want to be on the road to wholeness, here is a list of cities in Illinois that fall into this category, according to the Illinois DNR:
Carbondale
Total starts: 1:59:15
Maximum eclipse: 2:01:20
Overall finish: 2:03:25
Babies
Total starts: 1:59:09
Maximum eclipse: 2:01:14
Overall finish: 2:03:19
Alto passage
Total starts: 1:58:56
Maximum eclipse: 2:01:01
Overall finish: 2:03:06
Fairfield
Total starts: 2:01:19
Maximum eclipse: 2:03:21
Overall finish: 2:05:23
Olney
Total starts: 2:02:12
Maximum eclipse: 2:04:07
Overall finish: 2:06:03
Golconda
Total starts: 2:00:39
Maximum eclipse: 2:02:04
Overall finish: 2:03:30
Effingham
Total starts: 2:03:25
Maximum eclipse: 2:03:49
Overall finish: 2:04:13
Mount Vernon
Total starts: 2:00:35
Maximum eclipse: 2:02:28
Overall finish: 2:04:20
Marion
Total starts: 2:01:53
Maximum eclipse: 2:03:54
Overall finish: 2:05:56
