Parisians scramble for a last-minute glimpse of the eclipse

For the past two days, massive lines have appeared across France as people scramble to buy certified eclipse glasses ahead of tonight’s historic event.

In Paris, the eclipse will reach 92.2% coverage at 8.17 p.m. local time, with the peak varying across France — from 89.9% in Strasbourg to almost 98% in Toulouse, according to NASA.

French officials have been warning the public for weeks to make sure they buy properly certified glasses to safely watch the eclipse. They advise checking for the CE marking, which indicates the glasses meet European safety standards.

Many have been lining up since early this morning outside an astronomy store in central Paris, possibly the last place in the city selling eclipse glasses for tonight’s event.

One shopper waiting at the back of the line at the store said this was his last option.

“I came obviously at the last minute, and am preparing myself for apparently over two hours of queuing. But at least there’s supposed to be glasses in this shop.”

As desperation grows, some have been seen negotiating to pay those at the top of the line to buy the glasses for them. Others have taken advantage of the situation, with resellers patrolling alongside these lines, advertising marked-up glasses to increasingly frustrated shoppers.

For many Gen Z Parisians, this will be their first time experience a total solar eclipse.

“It will be my first time seeing an eclipse. Last time, I wasn’t even born — in 1999, I think,” a young shopper said. “So I’m really looking forward to it.”

With no total solar eclipse visible from France until 2081, today’s near-total eclipse could be a once-in-a-lifetime event for many.

-CNN