TIME reports that people across North America will be able to watch the moon partially cover the sun Thursday afternoon. It is a rare heavenly event you don't want to miss.

A solar eclipse can only happen during the new moon and when the new moon passes directly between the earth and sun, which is a rare occurrence because the moon's lunar orbit is tipped about 5 degrees to earth's orbital plane; the moon's shadow typically misses earth completely, according to Sky and Telescope magazine.

Want to know the best time to view the solar eclipse in your area? Sky and Telescope magazine has a list of when the eclipse will be visible in major cities.

If you are in New York, you can expect to view the partial solar eclipse beginning at 5:49 p.m. If you are running a few minutes late, no worries. The eclipse won't reach its peak until 6:03 p.m.

West coast sky watchers will have the best show. Los Angeles residents can start viewing the eclipse at 2:08 p.m. PDT or wait for the peak midway point at 3:28 p.m. PDT.

If you miss this rare eclipse, there will be another Aug. 21, 2017, Business Insider reports, but it won't be as visible to everyone in the U.S. In fact, there will not be a solar eclipse visible to the entire country until 2023.

How to Safely View the Rare Partial Solar Eclipse

A partial solar eclipse is a slow-motion event. It typically takes the moon more than two hours to cross the sun, according to Sky and Telescope magazine.

Sunglasses, no matter how dark the lenses, will not protect your vision while you watch the eclipse.

Here are four easy ways to watch the celestial show safely:

1. You can gaze directly at the sun using glasses equipped with special solar filters.

2. Watch the eclipse through a dark #13 or #14 rectangular arc-welder's glass.

3. Create a pinhole projector. Poke a small hole in an index card. Face the card toward the sun. Hold a second index card about 3 feet behind the first, in its shadow.

4. Aim binoculars at the sun. Project the bright disk onto a white piece of paper a couple of feet behind the eyepiece.

Remember, gazing directly at the sun can result in temporary or permanent blurred vision, or blind spots in your field of vision.