For a few precious minutes come Monday afternoon, tens of millions of Americans of all genders, ages, races, religions and political stripes will truly find themselves united — united in awe.

Such rare unity, of course, results from the hubbub surrounding the celestial event of the century — the total eclipse of the sun by the moon. Its centerline will travel a 110-mile-wide path stretching from Mazatian, Mexico, to Newfoundland, Canada.

Lucky for us, parts of the Mahoning Valley lie smack-dab inside or on the closest outer fringes of that awesome stream of darkness.

As we stand on the threshold of this truly once-in-a-lifetime event for most Valley residents (the next similar eclipse is scheduled for 2099), we’re pleased to report our region will reap benefits beyond the fleeting rush of their little piece of the planet going dark in the middle of the afternoon.

As the moon blocks out sunlight to the earth, the hullabaloo engulfing the eclipse will allow a variety of bright spots to seep into our state and our region.

Between 150,000 and 575,000 people are expected to enter Ohio for the total solar eclipse, The Columbus Dispatch reported. A chunk of that number will be beating down the doors of hotels and motels in Northeast Ohio and the Valley. That means local communities will enjoy their fair share of potent economic elixirs the eclipse will produce.

How potent? A recent study at the University of Texas at San Antonio estimated cities and counties along the U.S. path of the eclipse will rake in $1.5 billion in economic impact though dollars spent on lodging, food and local attractions.

To its credit, tourism agencies in Trumbull and Mahoning counties have pinpointed several special events and watch parties for travelers near and far.

In Warren, for example, the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library will host a watch party at Warren G. Harding High School’s sprawling Mollenkopf Stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m. The event will include activities for all ages. Also in Warren, the Skyway Twin Drive-In will open for motorists to look skyward while enjoying a game or two of laser tag.

At Lake Milton in Mahoning County, Halliday’s Winery’s Solar Eclipse Party from noon to 6 p.m. will feature food, drinks, DJ, special safety glasses and even color-changing cups.

The challenge of course for county tourism bureaus will be to ensure our region’s newfound visitors come back and soak in more of our attractions without the added allure of a supersized cosmic event.

But for visitors and residents alike who no doubt will revel in a festival atmosphere during eclipse mania, they also must keep their feet grounded in safety and keep their eyes protected from the potentially damaging eclipse effects. The importance of wearing protective eyewear cannot be overstated.

Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse for an extended period — more than a second or two — can cause solar retinopathy, a condition that can produce mild to severe eye damage. In some cases, blindness can result.

And don’t even try to protect yourself with commercial sunglasses. They won’t do the trick. Be sure to use reliable safety glasses with an international safety code of ISO 12312-2. They are 100,000 times darker than a regular pair of sunglasses and block 100% of harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays and 99.999% of intense visible light.

While we’re on safety, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency also urges all eclipse gazers to make a preparedness kit for their vehicle to include items like snacks, drinks, cash, cellphone chargers and blankets. Motorists should top off their fuel tank or fully charge their electric vehicle before heading out and are urged to carry a paper map in the event of a possible internet outage.

With proper safety precautions, all who venture out can enjoy the spectacular sky show as the region rakes in its fair share of economic perks.

One last benefit also comes to mind. Perhaps it’s pie-in-the-sky thinking, but just imagine the possibilities if we could extend Monday’s moonstruck moments of joy, awe and unity of purpose to all other facets of our far-too-often bitter and divisive earthly existence.