Eclipse 2024 pictures: An eerie darkness descends

Thousands of people witnessed a celestial spectacle that plunged parts of North America into momentary darkness.

Image source, Fernando Llano/AP

Image caption, Mazatlan in Mexico was the first to experience totality

Image source, Jeff Overs/ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Image caption, The Moon perfectly blocked the Sun

Image source, Hector Vivas/Getty Image

Image caption, Children paused their beach play to watch in Mexico

Image source, Henry Romero/Reuters

Image caption, People used special protective glasses to observe the event

Image source, Henry Romero/Reuters

Image caption, Tens of millions watched as day turned to night

Image source, Henry Romero/Reuters

Image caption, Thousands gathered early in preparation for the event

Image source, Julio Cortez/AP

Image caption, Clouds rolled by as the beginning phase became visible from Arlington, Texas

Image source, Julio Cortez/AP

Image caption, The clouds parted for some clearer views

Image source, Leah Millis/Reuters

Image caption, Observers in Oklahoma were also plunged into darkness

Image source, Chet Strange/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Image caption, People gathered in wonder in the US state of Indiana

Image source, JOSH EDELSON/Getty Images

Image caption, This year's path of totality was 115 miles (185 kilometres) wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans

Image source, Mario Tama/Getty Images

Image caption, Couples wed at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas

Image source, Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Image caption, While New York City wasn't in the path of totality, people could see up to 90% of the sun covered by the moon

Image source, ANGELA WEISS/Getty images

Image caption, A heavy cloud cover was over Niagara Falls as the sky got darker

Image source, ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images

Image caption, For a brief moment the cloud cover dispersed and the sun appeared as a crescent in the sky over Niagara

More on the solar eclipse

All photos subject to copyright. Gallery compiled by Emma Lynch