Eclipse enthusiasts across North America were mesmerized by Monday's total solar eclipse, which sees the moon line up perfectly with the sun, blocking out nearly all of its light. But one lucky passenger was especially blown away after getting a rare unique view of the phenomenon from a plane.
The spectacular scene was captured in a viral video shared by @dannyboyy_ and has had 14.8 million views since it was posted on April 8.
A message overlaid on the clip reads: "Can't believe I witnessed the solar eclipse on an airplane." The footage shows a man sitting on a plane, looking at the camera with his hand over his mouth.
"Pilot said it should be happening any minute now," another note across the screen reads before the video shows a view of the eclipse through the plane window. The scene begins with sun rays shining brightly above a bed of clouds before the sky gradually turns dark as the moon eclipses the sun.
A caption shared with the post simply reads: "The most beautiful vid you'll see of the solar eclipse."
@dannyboyy_ The most beautiful vid you’ll see of the solar eclipse #solareclipse ✈️
♬ Saturn X Slow Dancing In The Dark - reavesaudios
The total solar eclipse, the first of its kind in the U.S. since 2017, began over the South Pacific Ocean and passed over Mexico before traveling directly over 13 U.S. states from Texas to Maine. Casting darkness over more than a dozen cities, the eclipse later moved out across the Atlantic coast of Canada.
Brian Lada, an AccuWeather astronomy expert, told Newsweek in late March: "Total solar eclipses themselves are not rare. They happen every year somewhere around the world. What is rare is to have them visible here in the United States."
The passenger in the viral clip wasn't the only one to have captured the stunning scene of the eclipse from the sky. NASA also sent out jet planes to chase the eclipse as part of its research to study the secrets of space weather from 50,000 feet in the air.
Flying much higher than commercial aircraft, this altitude allows the jets to fly above clouds, with no chance of missing the eclipse due to bad weather. This height also places the jets above most of the Earth's atmosphere, allowing cameras to capture crisper images as well as wavelengths, such as infrared light, that don't make it to the ground, NASA explains.
Those who missed Monday's eclipse will have to wait decades before getting a chance to see it again, as "the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States" won't be for another 20 years on August 23 in 2044, NASA notes.
'That's Insane'
TikTok users were amazed by the view of the total solar eclipse from the sky in the viral clip.
King of Sales PH said: "You're so lucky dear," and GT: Swjnghn KF wrote: "That's insane."
KayForDayz noted: "Nah that's cool," and Your.fav.thai. simply said: "wooow."
Caloyski26 noted: "bruh the moment when the darkness spread among the clouds is magical as well."
"I'm crying so hard that's so pretty," said @ayannadeshelle.
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
Soo ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
