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Americans converge on the path of totality to experience the solar eclipse

The moon eclipses the sun during a total solar eclipse across North America, in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 8, 2024.
Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images

Today marks a total solar eclipse that is expected to cross the United States as millions of Americans try to position themselves in the path of totality to capture this celestial moment. The next time an eclipse of this magnitude will cross the U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044. Towns in the path of totality are preparing for an influx of people vying for the ultimate viewing experience and providing an economic boon.

Bloomington, Indiana

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Signage advertising the total solar eclipse in Bloomington, Indiana, US, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. 
Chet Strange | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Signage advertising the total solar eclipse in Bloomington, Indiana, US, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. 

Houlton, Maine

\Visitors look through a pair of oversized eclipse glasses set up in the town square on April 07, 2024, in Houlton, Maine. 
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
\Visitors look through a pair of oversized eclipse glasses set up in the town square on April 07, 2024, in Houlton, Maine. 
Cheryll Simmons-Heit, wearing a moon, and Johanna Johnston, wearing a sun, participate in the Solar Sprint 3k on April 07, 2024 in Houlton, Maine. 
Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Cheryll Simmons-Heit, wearing a moon, and Johanna Johnston, wearing a sun, participate in the Solar Sprint 3k on April 07, 2024 in Houlton, Maine. 
Dawn MacDonald (R), the owner of Crowe's Tattoos, places an eclipse tattoo on the arm of Morgan Flewelling (L) on April 07, 2024, in Houlton, Maine. 
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Dawn MacDonald (R), the owner of Crowe's Tattoos, places an eclipse tattoo on the arm of Morgan Flewelling (L) on April 07, 2024, in Houlton, Maine. 
Miriam Toy (L) and Oliver Toy share a pair of eclipse glasses that NASA was handing out as they await the eclipse on April 08, 2024, in Houlton, Maine. 
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Miriam Toy (L) and Oliver Toy share a pair of eclipse glasses that NASA was handing out as they await the eclipse on April 08, 2024, in Houlton, Maine. 

Fredericksburg, Texas

A sign displaying 'No School' is seen at Fredericksburg middle school ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 07, 2024 in Fredericksburg, Texas. 
Brandon Bell | Getty Images
A sign displaying 'No School' is seen at Fredericksburg middle school ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 07, 2024 in Fredericksburg, Texas. 

Carbondale, Illinois

Eclipse-themed T-shirts are offered for sale at a science fair at Southern Illinois University on April 07, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. 
Scott Olson | Getty Images
Eclipse-themed T-shirts are offered for sale at a science fair at Southern Illinois University on April 07, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. 
People gather in a field on the campus of Southern Illinois University to prepare for the start of the total eclipse on April 08, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois.
Scott Olson | Getty Images
People gather in a field on the campus of Southern Illinois University to prepare for the start of the total eclipse on April 08, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois.

Orlando, Florida

Special OREO donuts from Krispy Kreme are shown in a picture illustration in Orlando. The celestial-themed donuts went on sale today to celebrate the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. 
Paul Hennessy | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Special OREO donuts from Krispy Kreme are shown in a picture illustration in Orlando. The celestial-themed donuts went on sale today to celebrate the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. 

Pinchneyville, Illinois

Solar eclipse t-shirts are offered for sale at Audra's Footprint on April 05, 2024 in Pinckneyville, Illinois. 
Scott Olson | Getty Images
Solar eclipse t-shirts are offered for sale at Audra's Footprint on April 05, 2024 in Pinckneyville, Illinois. 

Makanda, Illinois

Brittany Sunderman and Gianna Debenham, 6, from Effingham, Illinois, and other members of the Debenham family who travelled from Utah and Las Vegas to experience the total solar eclipse together, try out their eclipse viewing glasses at their campsite a day ahead of the event at Camp Carew in Makanda, Illinois, U.S., April 7, 2024.
Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters
Brittany Sunderman and Gianna Debenham, 6, from Effingham, Illinois, and other members of the Debenham family who travelled from Utah and Las Vegas to experience the total solar eclipse together, try out their eclipse viewing glasses at their campsite a day ahead of the event at Camp Carew in Makanda, Illinois, U.S., April 7, 2024.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

People sit next to the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on April 8, 2024 as they prepare for the total eclipse which is set to pass over the region later in the day. 
Geoff Robins | AFP | Getty Images
People sit next to the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on April 8, 2024 as they prepare for the total eclipse which is set to pass over the region later in the day. 
Some of the 309 people gathered to break the Guinness World Record for the largest group of people dressed as the sun pose on a sightseeing boat, before the total solar eclipse in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada April 8, 2024. 
Jenna Zucker | Reuters
Some of the 309 people gathered to break the Guinness World Record for the largest group of people dressed as the sun pose on a sightseeing boat, before the total solar eclipse in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada April 8, 2024. 

Russellville, Arkansas

A youngster looks at the sun through binoculars at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas.
Mario Tama | Getty Images
A youngster looks at the sun through binoculars at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas.

Wapakoneta, Ohio

Thousands of people descend on the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum to view the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. 
Matthew Hatcher | Getty Images
Thousands of people descend on the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum to view the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. 

New York City

People gather on the observation deck of Edge at Hudson Yards before a partial solar eclipse in New York City, New York, U.S., April 8, 2024. 
Eduardo Munoz | Reuters
People gather on the observation deck of Edge at Hudson Yards before a partial solar eclipse in New York City, New York, U.S., April 8, 2024. 
The Statue of Liberty is seen during a partial solar eclipse, where the moon partially blocks out the sun, at Liberty Island in New York City, U.S., April 8, 2024. 
David Dee Delgado | Reuters
The Statue of Liberty is seen during a partial solar eclipse, where the moon partially blocks out the sun, at Liberty Island in New York City, U.S., April 8, 2024. 

Mazatlan, Mexico

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
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.

Fort Worth, Texas

The moon begins to eclipse the sun on April 8, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. 
Ron Jenkins | Getty Images
The moon begins to eclipse the sun on April 8, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Russelville, Arkansas

A bride and groom view the solar eclipse amid a darkened sky after marrying at a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas.
Mario Tama | Getty Images
A bride and groom view the solar eclipse amid a darkened sky after marrying at a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas.
Couples view the solar eclipse during a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas. 
Mario Tama | Getty Images
Couples view the solar eclipse during a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas. 

Warren, Vermont

People assemble to view the total solar eclipse at Sugarbush ski resort in Warren, Vermont, U.S. April 8, 2024. 
Lauren Owens Lambert | Reuters
People assemble to view the total solar eclipse at Sugarbush ski resort in Warren, Vermont, U.S. April 8, 2024. 

Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Capitol Building is visible as people view the partial solar eclipse on Capitol Hill on April 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. 
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images
The U.S. Capitol Building is visible as people view the partial solar eclipse on Capitol Hill on April 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. 

Los Angeles, California

Duke Brobby watches the solar eclipse at Griffith Observatory on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. 
Brian Van Der Brug | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
Duke Brobby watches the solar eclipse at Griffith Observatory on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. 

Totality in Eagle Pass, Texas

A total solar eclipse is seen from Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S. April 8, 2024. 
Christian Monterrosa | Reuters
A total solar eclipse is seen from Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S. April 8, 2024. 
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