Solar eclipse: Path of totality moves out of US after dazzling nation

Viewers got out their special glasses and watched one of the most stunning shows the sky has to offer on Monday.

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This live blog is no longer being updated. Click here for a gallery of photos from the eclipse.

Millions of spectators along a narrow corridor stretching from Mexico to the U.S. to Canada eagerly awaited Monday's celestial sensation — a total eclipse of the sun.

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During the eclipse, the moon passed in front of the sun and obscured it for up to 4 1/2 minutes. Many other parts of the country saw a partial eclipse.

With the cosmic event now out of the U.S., here are all the updates from Monday's event as it unfolded:

The 2024 Solar Eclipse in pictures

Millions across North America got to experience a total solar eclipse Monday afternoon. This will be the last solar eclipse that will be visible from the United States until 2044.

Take a look at all the best photos from the eclipse right here.

From the Mexican city of Mazatlán to Maine, here is how the eclipse was seen across North America.

Sports fans fascinated by eclipse during games across US

The 2024 total solar eclipse fascinated crowds across the country, but did it have an impact on sports?

What to do with your glasses now that the eclipse is over

By NBC Dallas-Fort Worth Staff

So the 2024 total solar eclipse has come and gone. What do you do with those eclipse glasses? Donate them!

Astronomers Without Borders will take donated glasses, make sure that they are still safe and give them to others to enjoy the next solar eclipse. You can drop off eclipse glasses in good condition at Warby Parker locations.

You can also mail your undamaged eclipse glasses to Eclipse Glasses USA, which sends the glasses to schools for children in other parts of the world to see future eclipses.

For more information about where to donate your eclipse glasses, click here.


After eclipse, you can see cosmic wonders in these places later this year

By Mike Gavin

A solar eclipse may only occur once in a blue moon.

But there are many locations around the country to see cosmic wonders each year, from the Northern Lights in Alaska to Acadia National Park in Maine.

Jacqui Gifford, the editor-in-chief of "Travel + Leisure," joined TODAY to discuss the top spots for astrotourists to get a peak at the skies year-round.

"People just want to be immersed in the natural world," Gifford said. "A little bit too much screen time at home, they want to go see these natural attractions, and there are certain destinations that are prime spots for viewing stars."

You can watch Gifford's full interview on TODAY right here.


Texas couple gets married during eclipse

By Logan Reardon

While the eclipse's path of totality ran through Texas, one couple took advantage of the moment by getting married.

In Junction, Texas, a man and woman tied the knot as the darkness arrived. They appeared to have a few friends and family in attendance on what will be an unforgettable day for multiple reasons.

Here's some footage from the moment the couple got married:

Watch a couple tie the knot as the total solar eclipse hit totality in Junction, Texas.

Totality hits Texas cities

By Logan Reardon

After moving through Mexico, totality reached Texas just after 1 p.m. CT.

Eagle Pass and Kerrville, Texas, were the first cities to experience totality. Viewers in the areas experienced over four minutes of darkness, which was one of the longest stretches that will hit the U.S. on Monday.

Moments later, totality reached Dallas -- the largest U.S. city in the path.

Here's how it looked in Dallas and Eagle Pass:

Watch as the total solar eclipse reaches totality in Dallas, Texas.

First view of totality in Mazatlan, Mexico

By Logan Reardon

The first view of totality has hit North America.

Mazatlan -- a city on the west coast of Mexico -- was the first location on the continent to experience the eclipse in totality.

Take a look at the view here:

The eclipse reached totality in Mazatlán, Mexico.

Solar eclipse interactive map: See how much of the sun will be obscured in your area

By Sophia Barnes

A total solar eclipse will sweep across the United States on Monday, treating 13 states from Texas to Maine to a stunning celestial show.

During the eclipse, the moon will cast its shadow on parts of North America as it comes between Earth and the sun, said Gina DiBraccio, the deputy director of heliophysics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

But the solar eclipse will be visible far outside the path of totality. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, would see about 90% of the sun obscured. Washington, D.C., is set to see about 85% coverage.

For the full story on locations across the country, click here.


Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts eclipse watch party

By Logan Reardon

The Indy 500 isn't until next month, but fans are already packing the famous track.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hosting an eclipse watch party, with events planned for people throughout the day -- NASA and Purdue University astronauts are even in attendance.

For full details on the event at the speedway, click here.


Bill Nye explains how 'remarkable' eclipse will change lives

By Logan Reardon

What's the best way to learn about the eclipse? Listen to Bill Nye, of course.

The Science Guy joined MSNBC on Monday morning to discuss the eclipse and offer advice to viewers.

"It is a remarkable event, even if you're not in the path of totality, it's still remarkable," Nye said before encouraging everyone to wear special eclipse glasses. He explained that the glasses are the only way to safely gaze at the sky.

Above all else, Nye urged people to be present in the moment. Eclipses don't occur often, so taking the time to enjoy it with people around you will maximize the experience.

You can watch Nye's full interview on MSNBC right here.


NICU babies in Cleveland prepared for eclipse

By Logan Reardon

Babies in the Cleveland Clinic Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are ready for the eclipse.

The newborns have only been on the planet for a few days, but they are going to witness history in Ohio. The next time a total solar eclipse passes through the state, these babies will be 75 years old.

To celebrate the occasion, the babies are decked out with customized shirts and eye protection -- not eclipse glasses, but protection for certain therapy treatments in the NICU.

Babies in the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are getting ready for the total solar eclipse.

What time is the 2024 solar eclipse?

By Denise Chow | NBC News

Weather permitting, millions of people in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada will have the chance to see the moon slip between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light.

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a “path of totality” that measures more than 100 miles wide and extends across the continent, as described by NBC News. Along that path, the moon will fully obscure the sun, causing afternoon skies to darken for a few minutes.

The first spot in North America that will experience totality on Monday is on Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PT, according to NASA. In Dallas, a partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality will be at 1:40 p.m. CT.

For a full list of timings for some U.S. cities along the path of totality, click here.


Can you take a picture of the solar eclipse? An astrophotographer says yes, and here's how

By Brad Fosler

A solar eclipse is one of the most amazing phenomena people can see from Earth, and many Americans will be able to view one as it traverses parts of the United States on April 8.

The moon slowly covers the sun, creating a life-changing sight that goes away in minutes or even seconds.

What if you want to capture the moment for posterity? How can you best take photos of a solar eclipse?

Expert photographers who frequently capture incredible images of space while firmly on the ground say even amateurs can try their hand at capturing the eclipse.

Read more about it here or watch the video below.

Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy provides tips on how to get the best photos of the total solar eclipse whether you're using a phone, camera or telescope.

Wear these colors to enhance viewing experience of April's total solar eclipse

By De'Anthony Taylor

During these cosmic phenomena, viewers typically watch them in groups or public places such as libraries, parks, festivals, and parks with their eclipse glasses. But not many people know the rest of their wardrobe could improve their entire experience.

Experts at Solar Eyeglasses share tips on what colors viewers should wear to enhance their experience of watching the Great American Solar Eclipse and explain the science behind why these particular colors matter.

Read more here.


How do animals react during a total solar eclipse?

By Christina Larson | The Associated Press

When a total solar eclipse transforms day into night, will tortoises start acting romantic? Will giraffes gallop? Will apes sing odd notes?

Researchers will be standing by to observe how animals’ routines at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas are disrupted when skies dim on April 8. They previously detected other strange animal behaviors in 2017 at a South Carolina zoo that was in the path of total darkness.

“To our astonishment, most of the animals did surprising things,” said Adam Hartstone-Rose, a North Carolina State University researcher who led the observations published in the journal Animals.

While there are many individual sightings of critters behaving bizarrely during historic eclipses, only in recent years have scientists started to rigorously study the altered behaviors of wild, domestic and zoo animals.

Read more about the research here.


Blind people can hear and feel April's total solar eclipse with new technology

By Christina Larson | The Associated Press

While eclipse watchers look to the skies, people who are blind or visually impaired will be able to hear and feel the celestial event.

Sound and touch devices will be available at public gatherings on April 8, when a total solar eclipse crosses North America, the moon blotting out the sun for a few minutes.

“Eclipses are very beautiful things, and everyone should be able to experience it once in their lifetime,” said Yuki Hatch, a high school senior in Austin, Texas.

Hatch is a visually impaired student and a space enthusiast who hopes to one day become a computer scientist for NASA. On eclipse day, she and her classmates at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired plan to sit outside in the school’s grassy quad and listen to a small device called a LightSound box that translates changing light into sounds.

When the sun is bright, there will be high, delicate flute notes. As the moon begins to cover the sun, the mid-range notes are those of a clarinet. Darkness is rendered by a low clicking sound.

Learn more here.


Rock out to these 20 songs during the 2024 total solar eclipse

By Maria Sherman | The Associated Press

The total solar eclipse is quickly approaching. While you prepare to hit the road toward the path of total darkness or anticipate hours of traffic coming out of your watch party, you'll need something to listen to. And we've got your back.

Across 20 tracks, here's a comprehensive playlist of total solar eclipse (and total solar eclipse-adjacent) songs to listen to while preparing to take in the wonders of the universe on Monday. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify.

There is no more appropriate song than Bonnie Tyler’s karaoke classic, “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Try not to start a singalong with this one.

Check out the full list here.


Learn about the total solar eclipse with puppets and claymation

Need a fun and simple way to learn about the total solar eclipse on April 8? Here’s an explainer with puppets and claymation.

Why do clouds disappear during a solar eclipse?

Shallow cumulus clouds tend to disappear early on in a solar eclipse. Scientists think they now know why.
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