With just hours left until Monday's solar eclipse in the United States, many excited solar eclipse watchers were trying to find the best viewing spots and determine when the rare celestial phenomenon would be best viewed.
Many communities in southern Illinois will be included in the total path, meaning the sun will be completely covered by the moon for several minutes.
Chicago and its surrounding areas will only see a partial solar eclipse, but the sight will still be mesmerizing. An estimated 94% of the damage is expected to occur in this region.
According to NASA scientists, a total solar eclipse occurs when the new moon intersects the sun's orbit in the sky, partially and almost completely blocking the sun from view.
In Carbondale, Illinois' largest city, which is included in the path, totality will begin around 1:59 p.m., and the state says the eclipse will follow a diagonal over Fairfeld and end at Mount Carmel, so totality will be at 2 p.m. Officials are expected to finish around 3 minutes.
Even if you're in the Chicago area and can't see the total solar eclipse, there's a silver lining. A partial solar eclipse will continue to be visible for some time. In areas outside the total orbit, it is not safe to view the eclipse without glasses or other tools.
Below we show you what will happen and when, city by city, depending on the time and date.
aurora
Partial solar eclipse begins: 12:50:22
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:06:37
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:21:07
Chicago
Partial solar eclipse begins: 12:51:28
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:07:41
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:22:02
dekalb
Partial solar eclipse begins: 12:50:03
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:06:09
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:20:36
evanston
Partial solar eclipse begins: 12:51:38
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:07:45
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:22:00
fox lake
Partial solar eclipse start: 12:51:29
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:07:20
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:21:26
lombard province
Partial solar eclipse begins: 12:50:57
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:07:09
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:21:33
orlando park
Partial eclipse start: 12:50:48
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:07:10
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:21:42
plain field
Partial solar eclipse start: 12:50:19
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:06:39
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:21:14
schaumburg
Partial solar eclipse begins: 12:51:05
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:07:10
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:21:29
Wheaton
Partial eclipse start: 12:50:48
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:07:00
Partial solar eclipse ends: 15:21:25
(Check your city here)
For those seeking a path to completeness, here is a list of Illinois cities that fall into that category, according to the Illinois DNR.
carbondale
Total start: 13:59:15
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:01:20
Total end: 14:03:25
Makanda
Total start: 13:59:09
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:01:14
Completed: 14:03:19
alto pass
Total start: 13:58:56
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:01:01
Completed: 14:03:06
fairfield
Total start: 14:01:19
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:03:21
Completed: 14:05:23
olney
Total start: 14:02:12
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:04:07
Completed: 14:06:03
golconda
Total start: 14:00:39
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:02:04
Total end: 14:03:30
Effingham
Total start: 14:03:25
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:03:49
Completed: 14:04:13
mount vernon
Total start: 14:00:35
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:02:28
Total end: 14:04:20
Marion
Total start: 14:01:53
Maximum solar eclipse: 14:03:54
Completed: 14:05:56