Getty
The city of Tampa, Florida, will be able to see a partial solar eclipse today. Although Tampa is not in the “zone of totality,” many areas in the city will be able to see a good portion of the sun covered by the moon.
2017 solar eclipse map: The path of totality through Tennessee minute-by-minute t.co/5bGB2dWq38
ECLIPSE TIME: For those viewing the eclipse in Tampa, you will want to head outside right now, as it started at 1:17 p.m. The eclipse will last approximately two hours and 57 minutes. The peak time for viewing the eclipse in Tampa is at 2:49 p.m. The eclipse will be completely over at approximately 4:14 p.m.
WEATHER: The weather in Tampa is mostly cloudy today. However, you may still be able to see the eclipse in breaks of clouds.
BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE: You can watch the eclipse at the Jan Kaminis Platt Library or the SouthShore Regional Library. Both locations have solar eclipse glasses that you can borrow to see the event. Viewing parties in Tampa are happening at the Museum of Science and Industry, the Beach Bar in Rocky Point off the Courtney Campbell Causeway and at the Sundial in St. Petersburg. If you have protective eyewear and you want to head out to see the solar eclipse on your own, try heading to any of the Bay Area beaches.
TRAFFIC: Traffic should be normal, as Tampa is not within the zone of totality; no eclipse-related delays are expected.
THE NEXT ECLIPSE: If you missed today’s solar eclipse, Florida will be able to see a partial annular eclipse on October 14, 2023. An annular eclipse occurs when the moon is further away in its orbit from the earth, and thus appears smaller in the sky. In an annular eclipse, the whole of the moon does cross the sun’s path, but, since it appears smaller, it does not fully occlude the sun.
Another partial eclipse will be visible in April of the following year. You can see the path of the 2017 solar eclipse and the path of the solar eclipse slated for 2024 in the map below.
Did you know there is one spot that will see the total solar eclipse in both 2017 AND 2024!?! (Map courtesy @NationalEclipse )
