Anticipation buzzes through Philadelphia as the solar eclipse draws near, although the city finds itself just outside the path of totality. Optimal viewing of the celestial event is slated to begin for Philly residents this afternoon, while complete darkness will shroud areas from Texas to Maine. Philadelphia's sky enthusiasts can expect the eclipse to start today at an exact time that remains unspecified.
As FOX29 reports, the event won't feature a full blackout in the City of Brotherly Love, but residents will still experience a significant partial eclipse. Transitioning across the sky, the total solar eclipse will leave a mark over North America, with CBS News outlining the phenomenon's roadmap as it begins its American journey in Texas, slicing through various states including Arkansas, and even touching Cleveland and Buffalo, before casting a shadow over parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Away from the eclipse's main thoroughfare, major urban centers are preparing for their share of awe. While not under the moon's complete cover, cities like Chicago will observe the partial phase of the eclipse starting 12:51 p.m. CT, per CBS News. A similar scenario will unfold in places like Washington, D.C. and New York City, each receiving a spectacle of their own beginning at 2:04 p.m. ET and 2:10 p.m. ET respectively.
Meanwhile, the city of Philadelphia will join other locations in the chance to witness this astronomical alignment, although not being swallowed by the total eclipse's sweep. Dedication to the phenomenon seems high, as local venues and organizations have organized viewing events across Delaware Valley to celebrate – even being totally obscured, the sun's corona is a sight likely to draw crowds. An estimated 32 million individuals find themselves under the path of totality within the U.S., with the strip itself being about 115 miles wide, as per 6ABC's coverage.
The solar eclipse, a rare dance between celestial bodies, reaffirms its ability to fascinate and unite onlookers, from those standing directly in darkness's brief visit to those applauding from the sidelines. Be it the total eclipse that visits select locations or the partial one that graces Philadelphia, the event promises to deliver a shared moment of wonder – short-lived, yet memorable.
