A partial solar eclipse will dim the skies over the northeastern United States early tomorrow – weather permitting, of course. Other parts of the world will have a slightly better view, including much of Europe and Asia.

A solar eclipse happens when the new Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun. During a partial eclipse, the alignment isn’t perfect, so the Moon covers only part of the Sun’s disk.

This eclipse begins in the wee hours of the morning in the northeastern states. At the peak of the eclipse, the Moon will cover about 90 percent of the solar disk. That’s enough to make the sky appear a little dusky, and to lower the temperature a bit.

From the United States, the eclipse will be underway as the Sun rises. The best view will be from Maine.

As we all know from recent eclipses, it’s not safe to look directly at the Sun even when it’s partially covered up – it’s still so bright that it can damage your eyes. So use eye protection to stay safe – special eclipse glasses or dark welder’s glass. You can also stand beside a tree and watch as it casts tiny images of the partially eclipsed Sun on the ground. And you can always find an eclipse broadcast online.

For the rest of the United States, the eclipse will be over by the time the Sun rises. And the contiguous 48 states won’t see another good total eclipse – when the Moon completely covers the Sun – until August of 2045.

Script by Damond Benningfield