DALLAS — Millions across North America witnessed the moon block out the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday.
The eclipse’s path of totality stretched from Mazatlán, Mexico to Newfoundland, an area that crosses 15 U.S. states and is home to 44 million people. Revelers were engulfed in darkness at state parks, on city rooftops and in small towns.
Most of those in North America, but not in the direct path, still witnessed a partial eclipse, with the moon transforming the sun into a fiery crescent.
Watch St. Louis Post-Dispatch photographer David Carson capture the moon completely covering the sun as seen from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Video by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
Totality's first stop on land cast Mazatlán's sparkling beaches into darkness before continuing northeast toward Eagle Pass, Texas, one its first stops in the U.S.
Total solar eclipses happen somewhere around the world every 11 to 18 months, but they don't often cross paths with millions of people. The U.S. last got a taste in 2017, and won’t again see a coast-to-coast spectacle until 2045.
Total solar eclipse moves across the nation
People watch as the moon partially covers the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Eric Gay, Associated Press
The moon covers the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Fernando Llano, Associated Press
The moon partially covers the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Eric Gay, Associated Press
Didier Timothy-Mondesir watches the solar eclipse Monday from Prince Edward County, Ontario.
Sean Kilpatrick, The Canadian Press
People watch as the moon partially covers the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Eric Gay, Associated Press
Josh Bonkowsky and his daughter, Lucy, from Utah, use homemade viewers made from cardboard boxes and welding lenses as they take in Monday's eclipse in McGregor.
Matt Kyle, Tribune-Herald
Isabel Franco, left, and her parrot Alex watch the solar eclipse from Griffith Observatory on Monday in Los Angeles.
Andy Bao, Associated Press
Visitors watch and take photos as the sky darkens during a total solar eclipse at Niagara Falls State Park in New York on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
Visitors watch and take photos as the sky darkens during a total solar eclipse at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
Visitors watch and take photos as the sky darkens during a total solar eclipse at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The moon covers the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Fernando Llano, Associated Press
The light of the sun forms a diamond effect during the total solar eclipse over Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The light of the sun forms a diamond effect during the total solar eclipse over Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The light of the sun forms a diamond effect during the total solar eclipse over Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The light of the sun forms a diamond effect during the total solar eclipse over Niagara Falls State Park in New York on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
St. Louis Public Schools employees, from left, Brenetta Underwood, Natasha Winston, Aja McCoy, and Pamela Bryant, take in the view of the maximum stage of the partial solar eclipse around 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Michael Hamtil, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Monday's eclipse hangs over the ALICO Building in downtown Waco.
Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald
The total eclipse of the sun is seen in Historic Ste. Genevieve, Mo., on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Robert Cohen, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The total eclipse of the sun is seen in Historic Ste. Genevieve on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Solar prominences and Baily's Beads can be seen coming off of the sun during the total eclipse, as seen from historic Ste. Genevieve on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Karine Rodriquez, right, sits with her son Yurem, left, and daughter Aranza, center, as the moon partially covers the sun during a total solar eclipse, as seen Monday from Eagle Pass, Texas.
Eric Gay, Associated Press
Visitors to Wendt Beach in Angola create “Eclipse 2024” using stones in the beach sand.
Jay Tokasz/Buffalo News
Crowds gather at Niagara Falls State Park to watch as the solar eclipse begins on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
A park visitor takes a selfie while wearing the eclipse glasses as the eclipse begins at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
Planes perform a flyover as the solar eclipse begins at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The eclipse breaks through the clouds at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The eclipse breaks through the clouds at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
A spectator looks through eclipse glasses at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday. About 45,000 visitors came to the iconic wonder to view the celestial event.
Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News
The eclipse breaks through the clouds at Niagara Falls State Park in New York on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The eclipse breaks through the clouds at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
The eclipse breaks through the clouds at Niagara Falls State Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
Mariah Marks, clad in intergalactic-themed pants, reads a copy of "The Great Gatsby" as clouds cover the eclipse at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, April 8, 2024. (Libby March/Buffalo News)
Libby March/Buffalo News
Miesha Saharan of Amherst, 4, poses for a selfie with her her parents, Lokesh and Mamta Saharan, during the total solar eclipse viewing at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y., April 8, 2024. (Libby March/Buffalo News)
Libby March/Buffalo News
The moon covers the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday in Luna Pier, Mich.
Paul Sancya, Associated Press
Cameras on tripods are set up to photograph the total solar eclipse Monday in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Aaron Lynett, The Canadian Press
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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