The final countdown is underway as millions of people across the Northern Hemisphere prepare to look skyward in the next few hours for a spectacular solar eclipse.
Here in Penrith, people are making their own plans to catch the event, with viewing spots ranging from front gardens and local parks to higher ground around the town.
Some residents are planning to watch from Fair Hill Playpark, while others are heading towards Beacon Edge in the hope of getting a clear view across the surrounding landscape.
And for those looking for a different perspective, we understand some people are even planning to be out on the lake as the Moon passes across the face of the Sun.
The eclipse is expected to be one of the most noticeable astronomical events visible from Penrith for many years, with the Moon passing between the Earth and the Sun and covering a large proportion of the Sun's disc.
For many people, the excitement is now less about finding an organised event and more about finding the perfect spot close to home.
Whether it is from a garden, a local park, a hillside or the water, people across Penrith are getting ready to stop what they are doing and look towards the sky.
Keep your eyes safe
Anyone planning to watch the eclipse should remember that ordinary sunglasses are not safe for viewing the Sun.
Properly certified solar viewing glasses or filters designed specifically for observing the Sun should be used. Looking directly at the Sun without appropriate protection can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
And, as always with an eclipse, the weather will have the final say.
There is already plenty of anticipation around Penrith, with residents keeping an eye on the skies and hoping that the clouds stay away for long enough to see the Moon's shadow pass across the Sun.
So, whether you are watching from your garden, Fair Hill, Beacon Edge, the lake or simply stepping outside wherever you happen to be, the countdown to the eclipse is now firmly on.
Look up – safely – and enjoy the show.
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