What will South Florida be doing during solar eclipse?

South Florida expected to receive about 80 percent totality during eclipse

MIAMI – Millions of people across the country, including South Florida, will watch as the moon crosses in front of the sun Monday, briefly turning day into night.

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami is one of the many locations hosting a solar eclipse watch party. Dozens of people stood in line Monday morning waiting for the museum to open. The museum is giving away eclipse glasses with the price of admission.

"I love nature and I think this is an incredible opportunity to see a gift from the universe to us," Louisa Sztern Robel told Local 10 News.

Monday's celestial event will be the first time in 38 years that a solar eclipse will be visible from the U.S. It is the first time in 99 years that a total solar eclipse will pass from coast to coast.

South Florida is expected to receive about 80 percent totality -- the peak time at 2:58 p.m.

The eclipse coincides with the first day of school in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Students in Broward County Public Schools are being kept indoors, while Miami-Dade County Public Schools is letting individual schools decide whether children will be allowed outside during the eclipse.

Follow Local 10 News' live coverage of the solar eclipse on Local10.com and use the complete guide to be prepared.