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Solar eclipse 2017: Watch live

For those unable to get to a solar eclipse watch party or prime viewing location, NASA is offering a livestream of today's solar eclipse.

The solar eclipse can be seen beside the statue of William Penn on top of Philadelphia City Hall on Monday, August 21, 2017.
The solar eclipse can be seen beside the statue of William Penn on top of Philadelphia City Hall on Monday, August 21, 2017.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer

For a few hours this afternoon, the moon will obscure our view of the sun. For those unable to get to a solar eclipse watch party or prime viewing location, NASA is offering a livestream of the phenomenon.

In Philadelphia, the eclipse will hit its peak at 2:44 p.m. (The moon starts to obscure the sun here at 1:21 p.m.; the sun will again be fully revealed at 4:01 p.m.) There is a chance that cloud cover could hinder views.

At 3 p.m., shortly after the eclipse's height here, Derrick Pitts, the chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute, will take your questions in a Facebook Live Q&A on Philly.com's Facebook page.

Pitts will be answering questions from Saint Joseph, Mo., which is in the 70-mile wide swath of the country that will see a full eclipse. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a partial eclipse is in store, with most places seeing about 75 percent cover.

Those viewing the eclipse in real life should use solar-eclipse glasses for protection. The glasses, which have been in high demand in the days leading up the eclipse are necessary to prevent harming your eyes while sungazing; regular sunglasses are not sufficient.

The Philadelphia area last saw a total eclipse in 1478. The next full eclipse here isn't expected until 2079.