Dallas is gearing up for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, and with good reason: The DFW metro area is entirely in the path of totality for this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event! Experts say the best viewing hours will be from 12:23 p.m. to 3:02 p.m. CDT, with totality starting at about 1:40 p.m. and lasting almost four minutes.

We’ve put together a short list of the coolest viewing parties around town to ensure you enjoy this phenomenon in the best possible way – just remember to prioritize your safety by using proper eye protection to view the eclipse. So mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready to witness nature’s grand spectacle in the skies above Dallas.

We’ve got some good news for those who missed the last total eclipse of 2017: Another solar eclipse is on its way. Although Atlanta isn’t in the path of totality, which stretches from Texas to Maine, a partial solar eclipse is still pretty mind-bending. 

Reminder: A solar eclipse occurs when the moon crosses between the Earth and the sun, completely covering our view of the sun. The path of totality will begin around lunchtime in Texas. It will stretch from Texas northeastward through the Midwest, up to Illinois and Indiana, and then continue northeast until it exits the US in northern Maine. 

Here in Atlanta, experts say the best viewing hours will be from 1:45 p.m. to 3:04 p.m. Several local spots are rallying around this natural phenomenon with fun events and entertainment – just don’t forget to put on official eclipse glasses to protect your eyes. And, for those interested in staying put and letting the experts put in the work, we’ve got live stream recommendations to get you connected to the dark side of the moon.