Pictures by photographer Eddie Mitchell show people patiently waiting in line to claim a free pair of viewing glasses from Worthing Astronomers.
Parking looks to be very busy in the area of Goring Gap, and people are already setting up camp on the grass and on the beach.
A few telescopes with solar filters attached will also be available for members of the public to use.
Around 95 per cent of the Sun will be covered by the Moon in what is expected to be the deepest solar eclipse visible from the UK and Ireland since 1999.
In Worthing, the eclipse will begin at about 6.18pm and reach its maximum at 7.14pm, lasting around one hour and 49 minutes in total.
Paul Ibbitson, who co-runs Worthing Astronomers, said: “The event is a near total (partial) solar eclipse for us in the UK.
“Day will pretty much turn to night during this period and you will notice that birds and other wildlife will fall silent as they are tricked into believing that it is night time.
"We will have around 400 pairs of solar glasses that we will be handing out for free to the public so that they can safely view the event with us at the location.”
Anyone without proper glasses to view the eclipse is reminded not to look directly at it and use alternative methods to witness the spectacle.
1. Goring Gap solar eclipse event
The Worthing Astronomers event at Goring Gap is already busy Photo: Eddie Mitchell
2. Goring Gap solar eclipse event
The Worthing Astronomers event at Goring Gap is already busy Photo: Eddie Mitchell
3. Goring Gap
Hundreds of people are already gathered on Goring Gap to watch the near-total solar eclipse this evening. Picture: Eddie Mitchell Photo: EDDIE MITCHELL
4. Goring Gap solar eclipse event
The Worthing Astronomers event at Goring Gap is already busy Photo: Eddie Mitchell