There has been widespread coverage of the total solar eclipse that will cross the country on Monday, but you can enjoy the eclipse from right here in Central Illinois. Local astronomer Ernie Poani is eagerly awaiting Monday’s event.

Poani says there are at least four eclipses per year, but not everyone on the planet gets to see each eclipse.

Poani says eclipses are so rare because of the moon’s orbit tilt.

Poani will be having a watch party and streaming the eclipse from a telescope onto a flat surface at his home and anyone is welcome to come out. His address is 1276 County Road 2200 North, which is about a quarter mile west of the Mt. Auburn blacktop 8 miles north of Taylorville.