Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Totality Concludes In US, Watch Photos And Videos Of The Stunning Spectacle

The total solar eclipse will be observable in select regions of Mexico, Canada, and over 10 US states, while a partial solar eclipse in the shape of a crescent is forecasted to be visible in 49 states, subject to weather conditions.

The eclipse will commence over the South Pacific Ocean before traversing North America. The initial point of totality along the path will be on Mexico's Pacific coast, projected to occur at 11:07 a.m. PT (2:07 p.m. ET).

Continuing its trajectory, the eclipse will pass through several US states including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It will then extend over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia in Canada, concluding on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland at 5:16 p.m. (3:46 p.m. ET).

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Google joined in the anticipation surrounding the eclipse by introducing an interactive animation, providing users with the opportunity to engage with the phenomenon conveniently. When users search for information about the eclipse on Google, they will encounter a dynamic graphic overlay.

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Total solar eclipses, a spectacle of cosmic alignment, are infrequent occurrences and are not commonly visible in the United States. The last such event in the country transpired in 2017, leaving enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next opportunity, which won't arise until 2044.

The upcoming eclipse carries historical significance, continuing a tradition of awe-inspiring celestial events observed throughout American history. 

Check here to see the list of notable total solar eclipses in the US since 1778.

During a total solar eclipse, the sky darkens significantly as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking out most of the sunlight. The phenomenon creates a unique lighting environment where the colors in the sky can change dramatically.

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In a statement released in late March, the American Astronomical Society has issued a warning regarding the proliferation of counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses in the market.

The AAS emphasizes the dangers of using these fake glasses, or worse, not using any eye protection at all, during the eclipse. Overexposure to sunlight "can cause severe eye injury, ranging from temporarily impaired vision to permanent blindness," the AAS cautioned. They advise purchasing glasses from reputable vendors and conducting thorough testing before the eclipse event.

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The 2024 eclipse is anticipated to be longer and more visible to a larger audience due to the widening path of totality, where observers witness the moon's shadow completely obscuring the sun.

In comparison to the 2017 total solar eclipse, when the moon was farther from Earth, resulting in a narrower path of totality spanning approximately 62 to 71 miles (100 to 114 kilometers), the 2024 event will benefit from the moon's closer proximity to our planet. Consequently, the path of its shadow across North America is projected to expand to approximately 108 to 122 miles (174 to 196 kilometers) in width.

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According to experts, animals might display different reactions during the eclipse, such as making more sounds or altering their activity levels. Dr. Rena Carlson from the American Veterinary Medical Association believes that pets might be more influenced by their owners' reactions rather than the eclipse itself. It is stressed that documenting observations is crucial.

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The NASA-funded Eclipse Soundscapes Project invites you to become a citizen scientist, capturing this extraordinary event and unlocking the secrets of how nature reacts to the celestial curtain fall.

While eclipses typically captivate with their visual spectacle, the Eclipse Soundscapes Project goes beyond the extraordinary sights. "We want to show that eclipses can be studied through sound, feeling, and other forms of observation," explains Kelsey Perrett, project communications coordinator. This multisensory approach promises a deeper understanding of how ecosystems respond to this dramatic celestial event.

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The solar eclipse occurring on April 8 will extend from Texas to Maine, boasting a duration of four minutes and 28 seconds. The optimal time to witness this celestial event is between 11:07 am PDT (2:07 PM ET and 11:37pm IST) in Mexico. Subsequently, it will traverse into Texas at 1:27 pm CDT (2:27 PM ET or 11:57 PM IST), culminating in Maine at 3:35 pm EDT.

In a bid to leverage the rare celestial event for his campaign, former President Donald Trump shared an 85-second video on his Truth Social platform. The clip features a silhouette of Trump's head blocking the sun's rays during North America's total solar eclipse.

The video's caption declares, "The most important moment in human history... is taking place in 2024," against the blazing backdrop of the sun.

The upcoming 2024 solar eclipse is poised to cast much of the United States into darkness on Monday, prompting concerns about driving safety during the event.

According to AAA, driving during an eclipse is safe as long as drivers keep their eyes on the road and refrain from looking up at the sky. The automobile association advises those who wish to view the eclipse safely to park in a secure location away from traffic and to wear eclipse glasses. Aixa Diaz, a spokeswoman for AAA, emphasises the importance of patience while traveling, as many people will be on the roads to witness the eclipse.

Similar traffic scenarios unfolded during the nation's last total solar eclipse in 2017. Reports from Transportation Research News indicate congestion lasting up to 13 hours in certain areas post-totality.

The highly anticipated Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet County has been canceled due to the looming threat of severe weather.

Organizers made the difficult decision on Monday, citing the safety of attendees as their top priority. A significant portion of Texas, including areas within the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse, faces the potential for dangerous thunderstorms. These storms could bring large hail, damaging wind gusts, and even possible tornadoes.

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"With the support and coordination of Burnet County officials, local safety agencies, and the National Weather Service, we've agreed to end the festival today in a calm orderly manner," stated festival organizers.

It's almost there! Mexico will witness the celestial spectacle at about 11:07 a.m. PDT on Monday, and then the total solar eclipse will cross Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT. The rare event will end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT. The partial eclipse will last for a while longer. 

Click here to know when the eclipse will be visible in your area.

President Joe Biden posted a public service announcement on X, emphasizing the importance of safety during the eclipse.

"While eclipses are fascinating, it's crucial to prioritize safety by wearing protective eyewear," said the President. This statement is a clear reference to a past incident when Former President Donald Trump directly observed the 2017 solar eclipse without proper eye protection.

Hillary Clinton resurfaced a viral photo of former President Trump looking at the sun during a solar eclipse in 2017, as millions prepare to view the rare phenomenon again. NASA warns people not to attempt to look at the sun without solar viewing glasses, warning of immediate eye damage. The photo was taken during a 2017 White House event where Trump and first lady Melania Trump viewed the solar eclipse.

During the eclipse, there's a chance to catch a glimpse of a comet and four planets if you're lucky. Venus will be positioned to the right of the sun, while Jupiter will be on the left. Mars and Saturn will appear smaller and situated to the right of Venus. Although the three other planets in the solar system will be nearby, they'll be practically invisible to the naked eye. The comet visible during this event is 12P/Pons-Brooks, which passes by Earth approximately once every 71 years. It will be in close proximity to Jupiter during the eclipse, although it's still relatively faint, as reported by AP.

Excited families are arriving at the Fort Worth Zoo, eager to witness the total solar eclipse alongside the resident animals. Rachel Slaughter, aged 34, embarked on a two-hour journey from her residence in Wichita Falls with her three children, aged 10, 6, and nearly 2, to partake in the eclipse event. "We're curious to observe how the animals respond to the eclipse," she expressed. "Will there be any noticeable changes in their behaviour? We're keen to find out."

In a bid to examine the impact of temporary sunlight reduction on Earth's upper atmosphere, NASA intends to send out three sounding rockets during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

The total solar eclipse is just around the corner, marking its first appearance in the United States as a partial eclipse at 12:06 p.m. CDT near the Texas border close to Eagle Pass. As time progresses, the moon gradually obscures more of the sun, leading up to the moment of totality, which commences at approximately 1:27 p.m. CDT in that region.

Cheers broke out along the beach in Mexico as the moon began its passage over the sun. In a beachside park, hundreds of people passed the time by preparing their equipment and enjoying a youth orchestra performing Star Wars songs, with images of Princess Leia projected on a large screen behind them.

Among them, Luz Elena Aguillón de la O sat in the grass with a group of 14 family and friends who had gathered from Mexico City, Guanajuato, and Mazatlan to witness the spectacle.

“Happy to be here with family, friends sharing a singular, unrepeatable event that the universe and nature give us,” she said, reported AP.

At the Hidden Springs Ranger Station in Shawnee National Forest, located in southern Illinois, dense clouds dissipated late this morning, drawing dozens of spectators. Positioned within the path of totality, the forest anticipates over four minutes of darkness. According to a park official, thousands of individuals are projected to observe the eclipse from this vantage point.

As thick clouds parted in the early afternoon, city officials cheered as the sun made an appearance in Texas.

"We special ordered the sun this morning," remarked downtown development manager Beverly Abell.

At Front Street Station, hundreds gathered for an outdoor watch party, with many donning eclipse glasses to observe the moon's bite out of the sun. Heads tilted skyward as DJ music filled the air from speakers, with everyone anticipating clearer skies before darkness descended.

The radiant beaches of Mazatlan are now engulfed in darkness as the total solar eclipse reaches its peak coverage. Among the crowd, hundreds of faces were illuminated solely by the screens of their cell phones, attempting to capture the just over 4 minutes of totality. Palm trees stood as silhouettes against a faint glow near the horizon, reminiscent of the resort's renowned sunsets, albeit occurring before noon.

During the solar eclipse, two shadows are cast. According NASA, the umbra represents one of these two distinctive segments of the moon's shadow. This shadow diminishes in size as it moves farther away from the sun. The umbra specifically refers to the inner, cone-shaped portion of the shadow, where all light has been completely obstructed.

This video clearly shows the total solar eclipse umbra:

The total solar eclipse has reached totality in Texas.

Check out the breathtaking view in this video captured by an X user:

Check out what Texas looked like when the solar eclipse took over:

Everyone is busy capturing the rare event - the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024. But did you know an Ohio newspaper had predicted it in 1970?

Check out this newspaper clipping shared by an X user:

Following its journey across over a dozen states from Texas to Maine, the total eclipse has concluded its spectacle over the United States.

The path of totality will persist over sections of Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland provinces for a few additional minutes.

Meanwhile, the partial eclipse will linger over the US for slightly more than an hour, reaching its conclusion in Maine at 4:41 p.m. EDT.

At 3:46 p.m. ET, totality concluded in Newfoundland, signaling the conclusion of the total solar eclipse across Canada.

However, the spectacle isn't over yet as a partial solar eclipse will remain visible until 4:47 p.m. ET, where the moon obscures only a portion of the sun.

Google recorded a spike in searches for "my eyes hurt" and "why do my eyes hurt" after the solar eclipse.

Expect significant traffic congestion when departing from regions within the path of totality.

Officials from the Department of Transportation recommend delaying departure until traffic subsides and suggest monitoring road conditions before embarking on the journey home to mitigate the risk of encountering traffic gridlocks.