This is when the solar eclipse will be visible for you in your area

The sun has risen and Monday is officially upon us, but soon much of the US will be cast into darkness again due to the total solar eclipse.

What is the total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking out the face of the Sun in the process.

As the eclipse reaches totality, the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk - and after weeks of anticipation, the day is finally here to witness the impressive event take place.

How do I watch the eclipse?

While it's natural to want to witness the moment the Sun darkens in the sky, NASA has warned that it's not safe to look directly at the Sun unless you have the proper protection.

Solar viewing glasses, also known as 'eclipse glasses', can be purchased to watch the event - though bear in mind these aren't regular sunglasses, and are designed to protect your eyes while looking directly at the Sun.

You also must not look at the eclipse through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter, as doing so can cause severe eye injury.

If you don't have glasses or a device with a solar filter, you can create a pinhole projector by poking a hole through a piece of cardstock or cardboard.

You can then hold up the card and look down to see the eclipse projected through the hole.

NASA

Where will the eclipse be visible?

The total solar eclipse is set to begin over the South Pacific Ocean, before passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Only those in the path of totality will be able to see the eclipse in full, though millions more will still be able to witness a partial eclipse as the Moon makes its journey across the Sun.

When will the eclipse be visible in my area?

Central Daylight Time Zone

As long as the weather is in viewers' favor, the first location in continental North America where people will witness totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07am PDT.

The path will then enter the US in Texas, when totality will begin at 1:40pm CDT. Over the next 11 minutes it will cross Idabel, Oklahoma and Little Rock, Arkansas, before totality will begin over Poplar Bluff, Missouri at 1:56pm CDT.

At 1:59pm CDT totality will reach Carbondale, Illinois, before hitting Paducah, Kentucky, one minute later and Evansville, Indiana at 2:02pm CDT.

NASA

Eastern Daylight Time Zone

The eclipse will move into the Eastern Time zone as it begins totality in Cleveland, Ohio at 3:13pm EDT, before hitting Erie, Pennsylvania and Buffalo, New York over the next five minutes.

At 3:26pm EDT it will begin over Burlington, Vermont, then over Lancaster, New Hampshire at 3:27pm EDT.

Finally, totality will begin over Caribou, Maine at 3:32pm EDT.

All of these areas will experience a partial eclipse before and after these times, as the Moon makes its way in front of the Sun.

Exiting the US

As the path of totality leaves the US, the eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, where totality will begin at 3:15pm EDT.

It will then continue through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton before it eventually exits continental North America on the coast of Newfoundland at 5:16pm NDT.