Solar eclipse 2024: Start time, path, how to watch and stream in Philadelphia
Roughly 90% of the sun's light will be blocked by the moon in Philadelphia this afternoon. The next solar eclipse won't happen here until 2079.
Eclipse day is finally here, with people in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania joining millions more across North America to watch the moon block out light from the sun for a few hours.
Philadelphia isn’t in the path of totality, where sun’s light will be completely obscured by the moon for roughly four and a half minutes. But that doesn’t mean the city won’t get a show — according to NASA, 85% to 90% of the sun’s light will be blocked by the moon by around 3:20 p.m., the most in nearly 40 years.
» READ MORE: Solar eclipse in Philadelphia: Live updates
“It’s exhilarating and wonderful and once you see one you’ve got to see more,” Deborah Skapik, an adjunct physics professor at St. Joseph’s University and a NASA eclipse ambassador, told The Inquirer. “I wish more people would find the joy in this because it’s so bizarre.”
Just make sure you cover your eyes with the proper protection. The eclipse will darken the sun and make it easier to look at, giving its light rays a chance to damage your eyeballs.
Across Pennsylvania, Erie is in the direct path of the eclipse, and is expected to experience totality around 3:16 p.m. However, the forecast there calls for a cloudy day with a chance of rain, which could obscure the view for thousands of tourists who have traveled there to witness the historic astrological event.
The last time the Delaware Valley experienced a solar eclipse was on Aug. 21, 2017, when 75% of the sun’s light was obscured. Ninety-five percent was blocked in Philadelphia during an eclipse on May 30, 1984, but cloudy skies obscured the celestial show.
Philly is expected to be in the path of totality of a solar eclipse on May 1, 2079, roughly 600 years after Lenape Native Americans — the city’s first inhabitants — watched it happen back in 1478. The United States will get another total eclipse in 2045, this time across the South.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch or stream the solar eclipse in Philadelphia:
What time does the solar eclipse start today?
The solar eclipse will begin on the Mexican Pacific Coast a little after 2 p.m. Eastern (around 11 a.m. local time). It will slice northeast across Mexico and the United States, crossing into Texas around 2:27 p.m. Eastern (1:27 p.m. local time).
In Philadelphia, the solar eclipse is expected to begin around 2:08 p.m., with 90% of the sun blocked around 3:23 p.m. The entire event is expected to last about two and a half hours, with the moon revealing the full sun by about 4:35 p.m.
The eclipse will hit Maine around 3:35 p.m. Eastern, and make its way into Canada though Newfoundland before crossing out over the Atlantic Ocean.
» READ MORE: Six reasons to be excited for the solar eclipse, from someone freaking out about it
How to watch the solar eclipse on TV
If it’s cloudy where you live or you can’t make it outside, coverage will be easy to find on television.
Most of the major broadcast companies and cable news networks are breaking into their schedule to provide special live coverage. Here’s a rundown of their coverage plans:
6ABC: ABC’s live coverage will begin at 2 p.m., anchored by World News Tonight anchor David Muir and ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis. Action News will air at 4 p.m.
CBS3: CBS will also break into live coverage at 2 p.m., anchored by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and CBS Mornings cohost Tony Dokoupil. The network’s coverage will feature former NASA astronauts and science experts, including Bill Nye The Science Guy and astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz.
NBC10: NBC’s live coverage, anchored by NBC Nightly News’ Lester Holt, will begin at 2 p.m. from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the world’s largest viewing site for this year’s eclipse. Members of the Today show — including Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, Sheinelle Jones, and Al Roker — will join the live coverage.
CNN: Live coverage on CNN will begin at 1 p.m. on CNN News Central with Brianna Keilar and Boris Sanchez. As part of CNN’s coverage, the network will have a team reporting onboard a Delta Air Lines “Path of Totality” flight.
MSNBC: Katy Tur will anchor special coverage on MSNBC beginning at 2 p.m.
NewsNation: Senior national correspondent Brian Entin will coanchor a special broadcast from the network’s headquarters in Chicago from 1 to 4:30 p.m., alongside NewsNation Now anchors Nichole Berlie and Connell McShane.
» READ MORE: Block out your schedule for historic eclipse day
How to stream today’s solar eclipse
If you’re stuck at your computer or otherwise can’t get outside, you can stream the entire event right here, thanks to NASA:
Weather forecast for solar eclipse in Philly
After a dreary week of rain and flooding across the Delaware Valley, there’s not a drop of rain in Monday’s forecast. Temperatures will be ideal for eclipse viewing, forecast to reach the low 60s in the afternoon.
Some high, see-through clouds are expected, National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Lee told The Inquirer. But the sun should remain visible in and around Philadelphia.
“You’re not dealing with a solid low cloud deck. That’s certainly good news,” said Brian Thompson, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.
» READ MORE: Philly’s eclipse forecast isn’t perfect, but has a bright side
Where to watch the solar eclipse in Philly
Here are some interesting spots in and around Philadelphia where you can watch the eclipse with like-minded amateur astronomers:
Enoch’s Field: It’s the 392nd birthday of astronomer and founding father David Rittenhouse, so Historic Rittenhouse Town in Blue Bell Hill is an appropriate place as any to watch today’s eclipse. They’re hosting a free watch party and birthday celebration from 2 to 4 p.m.
Franklin Institute: Hosted by Derrick Pitts, their longtime astronomer, the Franklin Institute’s free eclipse viewing party will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on their front steps along 20th Street. Among the amenities are large solar filter tents and specially equipped telescopes to provide a safe glimpse.
Glen Foerd: The historic mansion in Torresdale is hosting a free eclipse party from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Make sure you bring your on chairs, blankets, and special glasses. If you show up between noon and 2 p.m., staffers will help you craft your own indirect eclipse viewers using Pringle cans and shoeboxes, though you’ll need to supply your own.
Temple University: Temple’s College of Science and Technology is hosting a viewing party from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Buery Beach between Beury Hall and the Bell Tower. So if you want to chat with a physicist during the eclipse, this may be your best bet.
Valley Forge National Historical Park: Between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., park staff and volunteers will host a viewing party at the Wayne’s Woods picnic area. Free eclipse safety glasses will be available (while supplies last), and kids can pick up an Eclipse Explorer activity booklet full of interactive activities.
Wagner Free Institute of Science: The historic 19th century science museum is hosting a viewing party from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s free to attend, but advance registration is recommended. There will also be a limited number of free eclipse viewing glasses.