Devendra Kumar
The total solar eclipse that swept across North America on Monday left onlookers in a state of awe as a midday darkness descended upon the continent. The moon’s path of totality stretched from Mazatlán, Mexico to Newfoundland, plunging revelers into darkness at state parks, city rooftops, and small towns. As the moon began to cover the sun, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation. In Mazatlán, people gathered on the beach, waiting for the spectacle to unfold, while in Texas, hundreds assembled at a beachside park, passing the time by setting up equipment and listening to a youth orchestra play Star Wars tunes.
The weather was a concern for parts of the route, with clouds expected to block the view, but northern New England and Canada were expecting clear skies. As the moon transformed the sun into a fiery crescent, cheers erupted along the beach in Mazatlán, and people used their mobile phones to light up the darkness. President Joe Biden took to Twitter, urging Americans to wear protective eyewear to view the eclipse, and his message was echoed by NASA officials, who warned against gazing directly at the sun without proper protection.
Despite clouds blanketing most of Texas, the show went on in other parts of the country. In Illinois, a man used a telescope to observe the sun, while in Washington, the president watched from the balcony of the White House, wearing eclipse glasses. The event drew attention from around the world, with over 200 million people living within 200 miles of the path of totality. The moon’s shadow eventually left North America, leaving behind a trail of excited onlookers.
Experts from NASA and other institutions were on hand to conduct research and experiments, taking advantage of the rare astronomical event. As the total solar eclipse served as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, it also highlighted the importance of appreciating these rare and fleeting moments. As one spectator, Luz Elena Aguillon de la O, from Mexico City, put it, “Happy to be here with family, friends sharing a singular, unrepeatable event that the universe and nature give us.” The total solar eclipse was a truly unique experience that will not be seen again in the US for 21 years.