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Eclipse 2024 pictures: An eerie darkness descends

Thousands of people witnessed a celestial spectacle that plunged parts of North America into momentary darkness.

News imageFernando Llano/AP People watch a total solar eclipse as the sky goes dark in Mazatlan, Mexico, Monday, April 8, 2024.Fernando Llano/AP
Mazatlan in Mexico was the first to experience totality
News imageJeff Overs/BBC A total solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.Jeff Overs/BBC
The Moon perfectly blocked the Sun
News imageHector Vivas/Getty Image A kid watches the eclipse from the beach on April 08, 2024 in Mazatlan, Mexico.Hector Vivas/Getty Image
Children paused their beach play to watch in Mexico
News imageHenry Romero/Reuters People use special protective glasses to observe a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.Henry Romero/Reuters
People used special protective glasses to observe the event
News imageHenry Romero/Reuters A partial solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.Henry Romero/Reuters
Tens of millions watched as day turned to night
News imageHenry Romero/Reuters A youngster and a woman prepare their telescopes as people gather and wait to observe a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.Henry Romero/Reuters
Thousands gathered early in preparation for the event
News imageJulio Cortez/AP Clouds roll by as the beginning phase of a total solar eclipse is visible from Arlington, Texas, Monday, April 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)Julio Cortez/AP
Clouds rolled by as the beginning phase became visible from Arlington, Texas
News imageJulio Cortez/AP Sun spots are seen during the beginning phase of a total solar eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.Julio Cortez/AP
The clouds parted for some clearer views
News imageLeah Millis/Reuters Debbie Ward looks to the sky during the total solar eclipse, where the moon blots out the sun, at Wheelock Academy, in Millerton, OK, U.S. April 8, 2024.Leah Millis/Reuters
Observers in Oklahoma were also plunged into darkness
News imageChet Strange/Bloomberg via Getty Images Visitors watch the solar eclipse move into totality during an eclipse viewing event in Bloomington, IndianaChet Strange/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People gathered in wonder in the US state of Indiana
News imageJOSH EDELSON/Getty Images The moon eclipses the sun during a total solar eclipse across North America, in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 8, 2024.JOSH EDELSON/Getty Images
This year's path of totality was 115 miles (185 kilometres) wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans
News imageMario Tama/Getty Images Couples view the solar eclipse during totality at a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas.Mario Tama/Getty Images
Couples wed at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas
News imageShannon Stapleton/Reuters People assemble to view a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will partially blot out the sun, at Times Square in New York City, U.S. April 8, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon StapletonShannon Stapleton/Reuters
While New York City wasn't in the path of totality, people could see up to 90% of the sun covered by the moon
News imageANGELA WEISS/Getty images The sky darkens as people watch during totality of the total solar eclipse across North America, at Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, New York, on April 8, 2024.ANGELA WEISS/Getty images
A heavy cloud cover was over Niagara Falls as the sky got darker
News imageANGELA WEISS/Getty Images The moon begins to eclipse the sun during a total solar eclipse across North America, at Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, New York, on April 8, 2024.ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images
For a brief moment the cloud cover dispersed and the sun appeared as a crescent in the sky over Niagara

More on the solar eclipse

All photos subject to copyright. Gallery compiled by Emma Lynch