DeKalb area citizens might need flashlights tomorrow due to a spell of darkness coming this way.

A partial solar eclipse is scheduled to cover the DeKalb area Thursday at 3:29 p.m.

“Eclipses occur as the moon passes between the earth and sun, thus blocking the sun’s rays,” said Dave Munday of the NIU Astronomical Society.

About 22 percent of the sun’s diameter will be covered by the moon. However, other parts of the world will be blanketed by a temporary resemblance of nightfall in the form of a full solar eclipse.

“The path of the full eclipse has been charted and should begin west of Hawaii and travel across the Pacific Ocean, Baja, California, through Columbia, and end in Brazil,” Munday said.

The eclipse is scheduled to reach its peak at 4:16 p.m. and end at 5:02 p.m.

People wishing to view the natural phenomenon may join the NIU Astronomical Society at the rooftop observatory of Davis Hall, where the eclipse will be projected onto a large screen, followed by a tour of the observatory.

People also are warned against trying to view the eclipse without protection for their eyes because looking directly into the sun’s rays can cause eye injuries as serious as blindness.