Solar eclipse 2017: Photos from around Philly

No amount of clouds could keep Philly from enjoying at least a partial solar eclipse earlier today. It was the first total eclipse of the sun visible in the United States in 99 years.

Crowds gathered around places like the Franklin Institute and simply in the streets all around Philly to watch the celestial event, which started around 1:21 p.m. Maximum coverage of 79.9 percent began at 2:44 p.m.

After months of waiting, the total solar eclipse lasted roughly two minutes. (Here are scenes from towns that were in the path of totality.)

So what did the highly-anticipated event look like in Philly? It looked like a crescent moon peeking through the clouds.

Here are some scenes from today’s rare solar eclipse, beginning with NB10’s live-time capture of the point of maximum coverage at 2:44 p.m.

The Franklin Institute was on its solar eclipse watch well in advance of the big event.

Mayor Jim Kenney got a good view from City Hall, too (best caption, ever?).

Some folks at the Wagner Institute got creative with their special viewing equipment.

The Navy Yard hosted just one of the many viewing parties that took place all around Philly.

Dilworth Park in front of City Hall was also a popular place for people to catch the celestial event.