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Eclipse 2024 pictures: An eerie darkness descends

8 April 2024

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

Mazatlan in Mexico was the first to experience totality

Fernando Llano/AP People watch a total solar eclipse as the sky goes dark in Mazatlan, Mexico, Monday, April 8, 2024. — Mazatlan in Mexico was the first to experience totality

The Moon perfectly blocked the Sun

Jeff Overs/BBC A total solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024. — The Moon perfectly blocked the Sun

Children paused their beach play to watch in Mexico

Hector Vivas/Getty Image A kid watches the eclipse from the beach on April 08, 2024 in Mazatlan, Mexico. — Children paused their beach play to watch in Mexico

People used special protective glasses to observe the event

Henry Romero/Reuters People use special protective glasses to observe a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024. — People used special protective glasses to observe the event

Tens of millions watched as day turned to night

Henry Romero/Reuters A partial solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024. — Tens of millions watched as day turned to night

Thousands gathered early in preparation for the event

Henry 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. — Thousands gathered early in preparation for the event

Clouds rolled by as the beginning phase became visible from Arlington, Texas

Julio 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) — Clouds rolled by as the beginning phase became visible from Arlington, Texas

The clouds parted for some clearer views

Julio Cortez/AP Sun spots are seen during the beginning phase of a total solar eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. — The clouds parted for some clearer views

Observers in Oklahoma were also plunged into darkness

Leah 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. — Observers in Oklahoma were also plunged into darkness

People gathered in wonder in the US state of Indiana

Chet Strange/Bloomberg via Getty Images Visitors watch the solar eclipse move into totality during an eclipse viewing event in Bloomington, Indiana — People gathered in wonder in the US state of Indiana

This year's path of totality was 115 miles (185 kilometres) wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans

JOSH EDELSON/Getty Images The moon eclipses the sun during a total solar eclipse across North America, in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 8, 2024. — This year's path of totality was 115 miles (185 kilometres) wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans

Couples wed at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas

Mario 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. — Couples wed at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas

While New York City wasn't in the path of totality, people could see up to 90% of the sun covered by the moon

Shannon 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 Stapleton — While New York City wasn't in the path of totality, people could see up to 90% of the sun covered by the moon

A heavy cloud cover was over Niagara Falls as the sky got darker

ANGELA 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. — A heavy cloud cover was over Niagara Falls as the sky got darker

For a brief moment the cloud cover dispersed and the sun appeared as a crescent in the sky over Niagara

ANGELA 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. — 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

WATCH: Stunning first images in video
EYEWITNESS: 'It's a thrilling moment'
EXPLAINER: What is a solar eclipse and why is this one rare?
SCIENCE: Four-minute window into Sun's secrets
FANATICS: Eclipse chasers flock to N America

All photos subject to copyright. Gallery compiled by Emma Lynch