NOTE: Live coverage of the eclipse begins in the player above starting at 7 a.m. April 8, but tune in for the entire thing live starting at 1:55 p.m.
Wherever you are, you will be able to observe the 2024 total solar eclipse live.
And if you’re not in the path of totality, you can still enjoy this incredible spectacle.
While the city of Chicago will likely achieve a 94% eclipse totality, parts of southern Illinois and central Indiana will experience 100% totality.
Whether virtual or live, there are plenty of ways to watch it all unfold.
Here’s a look at how you can watch this unique event:
Streaming coverage
Watch ongoing, expert coverage of this rare astronomical phenomenon on NBC’s 24/7 live stream Chicago News, NBC 5 News, Noticiero Telemundo Chicago and on social platforms.
Watch live in the player above or find more details on how to stream live here.
You can also watch on:
Here is the full broadcast schedule:
8-11 am – Solar Eclipse “Live Look” Updates
Watch live skies and rush hour hits from NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago weather experts with the latest updates.
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. — NBC 5 News / Noticiero Telemundo Chicago: Eclipse special editions
NBC 5 News and Noticiero Telemundo Chicago will provide comprehensive coverage of the eclipse with live on-site reporting from Carbondale, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana and downtown Chicago.
12 p.m.-2 p.m. – Solar Eclipse “Live Look” Updates
Watch live skies and rush hour hits from NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago weather experts with the latest updates.
1:55 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Special Presentation: “Solar Eclipse 2024”
Live coverage from Carbondale, Illinois, and Indianapolis, Indiana, will provide viewers with a view of the eclipse from the path of totality.
There will also be live coverage from downtown Chicago.
In addition to the streaming options above, NASA will also offer a live broadcast of the eclipse from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
On the television
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (on NBC 5 Chicago) – NBC News Special: Total Eclipse 2024
Beginning at 1 p.m. on NBC Chicago, Lester Holt will host a two-hour NBC News special: Total Eclipse 2024 live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the world’s largest viewing site for the 2024 eclipse.
Additionally, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Telemonde Chicago will carry Telemundo News: Eclipse Solar Cobertura Especialfeaturing live reports from a number of local Telemundo stations across the country.
In person
In Carbondale, the largest city in Illinois included in the eclipse’s pathtotality will begin around 1:59 p.m.
Assuming the sky is clear (check the latest forecast here), stargazers will be able to observe the eclipse without any assistance, with dark skies and the famous flaming “crown” at the edges of the moon.
This period will only last a few minutes. Totality is expected to end around 2:03 p.m. as the eclipse follows a diagonal line over Fairfeld and exits at Mount Carmel, according to state officials.
If you’re in the Chicago area and can’t see the eclipse in its entirety, there is a glimmer of hope. The partial eclipse will be visible for a little while longer.
For areas outside the path of totality, it will not be safe to view the eclipse without special eclipse glasses or other tools.Here’s a city-by-city breakdown of what to expect and when.
NBC Chicago
