2024 total solar eclipse: See photos as communities across US gather for rare event

Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read

That was fun.

The 2024 total solar eclipse took place Monday in the skies above the U.S. from southern Texas to northern Maine.

The total eclipse began in Mexico around 11:07 a.m. PDT Monday before crossing into Texas around 1:27 p.m. CDT. It ended in Maine around 3:35 p.m. EDT. Even if you were not in the path of totality and didn't see the full eclipse, many Americans saw a percentage of it.

The rare event, where the moon completely blotted out the sun's disk causing a brief period of darkness in the middle of the day, was unusually accessible to millions of people.

In the days leading up to Monday, millions of people have flocked to areas across North America that were in the eclipse's path of totality.

See photos as communities across the country witnessed the perhaps once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Cities prepare for total solar eclipse

The total solar eclipse charted a 115-mile-wide path of totality across portions of Mexico, the United States and Canada. In the U.S. alone, hundreds of cities and smaller towns in 13 states lie along the path. An estimated 31 million Americans already live on the path, while millions more tourists made travel plans – sure to snarl traffic – to catch a glimpse of the total solar eclipse.

Apr 8, 2024; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Visitors from North Carolina walk past the "Wright Flyer III" statue where another visitor from Knoxville, Tenn., adorned one of the Wright brothers with solar eclipse glasses, in Dayton on the morning of the Solar eclipse.
Apr 8, 2024; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Visitors from North Carolina walk past the "Wright Flyer III" statue where another visitor from Knoxville, Tenn., adorned one of the Wright brothers with solar eclipse glasses, in Dayton on the morning of the Solar eclipse.
Ella Bither (left) and Olivia Taunah, members of the Houlton band of Maliseet Indians, perform a friendship dance before the solar eclipse in Houlton, Maine, the easternmost city in the United States in the path of the eclipse.
Ella Bither (left) and Olivia Taunah, members of the Houlton band of Maliseet Indians, perform a friendship dance before the solar eclipse in Houlton, Maine, the easternmost city in the United States in the path of the eclipse.
Lima, Ohio residents Shannon Sien and twins Mateo and Malania West look for a spot to view the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio on April 8, 2024. Sien said they bought the orange jumpsuits at COSI in Columbus.
Lima, Ohio residents Shannon Sien and twins Mateo and Malania West look for a spot to view the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio on April 8, 2024. Sien said they bought the orange jumpsuits at COSI in Columbus.
Matt Hernandez of Union Township helps his son try out his eclipse glasses that he made Monday, April 8, 2024, at National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton. Dayton will experience 2 minutes and 43 seconds of totality, beginning at 3:09 p.m. It marks the first time since 1806 that Ohio has witnessed a total solar eclipse.
Matt Hernandez of Union Township helps his son try out his eclipse glasses that he made Monday, April 8, 2024, at National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton. Dayton will experience 2 minutes and 43 seconds of totality, beginning at 3:09 p.m. It marks the first time since 1806 that Ohio has witnessed a total solar eclipse.
Thousands of people flock to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Monday, April 8, 2024, to watch the total solar eclipse.
Thousands of people flock to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Monday, April 8, 2024, to watch the total solar eclipse.
Samantha Jack and her daughter, Olivia Mykytuk, check out their eclipse glasses in preparation for the arrival of the solar eclipse in North America in the coastal city of Mazatlán in Mexico on April 8, 2024. A full solar eclipse will be visible in Mazatlán first before it moves north through Mexico and then the into the United States.
Samantha Jack and her daughter, Olivia Mykytuk, check out their eclipse glasses in preparation for the arrival of the solar eclipse in North America in the coastal city of Mazatlán in Mexico on April 8, 2024. A full solar eclipse will be visible in Mazatlán first before it moves north through Mexico and then the into the United States.
People enjoy a sunny day along Main Street in downtown Lake Placid April 7, 2024. Many are in town for the solar eclipse on Monday.
People enjoy a sunny day along Main Street in downtown Lake Placid April 7, 2024. Many are in town for the solar eclipse on Monday.
Traffic heading towards Lake Placid pass a sign for Eclipse provisions on Route 73 in Keene, New York April 7, 2024.
Traffic heading towards Lake Placid pass a sign for Eclipse provisions on Route 73 in Keene, New York April 7, 2024.
People enjoy a sunny day along Mirror Lake in Lake Placid April 7, 2024. Many are in town for the solar eclipse on Monday.
People enjoy a sunny day along Mirror Lake in Lake Placid April 7, 2024. Many are in town for the solar eclipse on Monday.
Barstow resident and retired teacher Louise Miller has equipped her young group with solar eclipse glasses in preparation for Monday's total solar eclipse. A self-dubbed "science nerd," Miller traveled to Texas to conduct science projects during the celestial event.
Barstow resident and retired teacher Louise Miller has equipped her young group with solar eclipse glasses in preparation for Monday's total solar eclipse. A self-dubbed "science nerd," Miller traveled to Texas to conduct science projects during the celestial event.
Aubrey Fender, 11, tries on eclipse glasses during a practice round for the Masters Tournament golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2024 in Augusta, Ga.
Aubrey Fender, 11, tries on eclipse glasses during a practice round for the Masters Tournament golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2024 in Augusta, Ga.
As solar eclipse festivities heat up Monday morning, Mike Bostwick (left) of Swartz Creek, MI, and Tony Achilles of Downers Grove, IL, plant an American flag at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
As solar eclipse festivities heat up Monday morning, Mike Bostwick (left) of Swartz Creek, MI, and Tony Achilles of Downers Grove, IL, plant an American flag at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
People prepare for the upcoming solar eclipse in front of the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on April 8, 2024.
People prepare for the upcoming solar eclipse in front of the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on April 8, 2024.
Jerry (center) and his sons Sterling (left) and Graysen (right) from Dedham, Maine, stop for a photo on April 8, 2024 in Houlton, Maine, the easternmost city in the United States in the path of the total solar eclipse.
Jerry (center) and his sons Sterling (left) and Graysen (right) from Dedham, Maine, stop for a photo on April 8, 2024 in Houlton, Maine, the easternmost city in the United States in the path of the total solar eclipse.

US watches the 2024 solar eclipse

People try to see the moon passing in front of the sun Monday, April 8, 2024, at the solar eclipse watch party on the Irish Green at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend.
People try to see the moon passing in front of the sun Monday, April 8, 2024, at the solar eclipse watch party on the Irish Green at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend.
Henderson resident Gary Chapman takes a gaze at the partially eclipsed sun at 1:20 p.m. Monday. He and his wife, Sheryl, hosted a few dozen friends for an eclipse party in their front yard along Merritt Drive.
Henderson resident Gary Chapman takes a gaze at the partially eclipsed sun at 1:20 p.m. Monday. He and his wife, Sheryl, hosted a few dozen friends for an eclipse party in their front yard along Merritt Drive.
Third-grade students at Scenic Hills Elementary watch the solar eclipse and make eclipse-related art projects on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn.
Third-grade students at Scenic Hills Elementary watch the solar eclipse and make eclipse-related art projects on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn.
Laquishia Ferguson of Williston, Fla. and boyfriend Easy Ash, of Gainesville, Fla. view their first solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024 at Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Ash said he came for “spiritual reasons.” Ferguson said, “I’m wowed.”
Laquishia Ferguson of Williston, Fla. and boyfriend Easy Ash, of Gainesville, Fla. view their first solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024 at Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Ash said he came for “spiritual reasons.” Ferguson said, “I’m wowed.”
Dorren Conboy, Jessica Ferrante, and Helen Hans, all cousins, watch the eclipse at Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill. The cousins, all from out of the area, came to Peekskill to research their father’s roots from when he lived in a local orphanage as a young boy. They decided to stay for the afternoon and watch the eclipse.
Dorren Conboy, Jessica Ferrante, and Helen Hans, all cousins, watch the eclipse at Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill. The cousins, all from out of the area, came to Peekskill to research their father’s roots from when he lived in a local orphanage as a young boy. They decided to stay for the afternoon and watch the eclipse.
A woman photographs the eclipse at Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill April 8, 2024.
A woman photographs the eclipse at Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill April 8, 2024.
Spectators watch Monday, April 8, 2024, from their seating in the tower terrace area at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the total solar eclipse begins.
Spectators watch Monday, April 8, 2024, from their seating in the tower terrace area at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the total solar eclipse begins.
Robert Jackson, Taylen Jackson, 7, and Jaylen Jackson, all from Indianapolis, take in the total solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024, while sitting on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Robert Jackson, Taylen Jackson, 7, and Jaylen Jackson, all from Indianapolis, take in the total solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024, while sitting on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Kai Hysell, 7, of Bloomfield Hills, watches the solar eclipse with his family at the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Kai Hysell, 7, of Bloomfield Hills, watches the solar eclipse with his family at the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills on Monday, April 8, 2024.
A total solar eclipse is seen beside a waving American flag in Houlton, Maine, the easternmost city in the United States in the path of the eclipse.
A total solar eclipse is seen beside a waving American flag in Houlton, Maine, the easternmost city in the United States in the path of the eclipse.
A partial eclipse is seen over the Washington Monument on Monday, April 8, 2024.
A partial eclipse is seen over the Washington Monument on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Coralie Halfman, 6, of Peekskill, watches the eclipse with her family at Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill, N.Y. April 8, 2024.
Coralie Halfman, 6, of Peekskill, watches the eclipse with her family at Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill, N.Y. April 8, 2024.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear peers through a filtered telescope to view Monday afternoon’s total eclipse of the Sun in John James Audubon State Park in Henderson. The owner of the telescope said he bought it two weeks ago for just $25. Park officials had to close the park to additional visitors after all of its 400 parking spaces were filled. The event at the park drew spectators from as far away as Belgium and England.
Sean-Daniel Boone views the solar eclipse from the Yonkers New York waterfront, April 8, 2024.
Sean-Daniel Boone views the solar eclipse from the Yonkers New York waterfront, April 8, 2024.
Troy Mangum, a teacher at Ida B. Wells Middle School in Washington, D.C., took his students outside April 8, 2024 to view the solar eclipse. "Anytime we can get hands on or dynamic learning…it’s invaluable,’’ Mangum said.
Troy Mangum, a teacher at Ida B. Wells Middle School in Washington, D.C., took his students outside April 8, 2024 to view the solar eclipse. "Anytime we can get hands on or dynamic learning…it’s invaluable,’’ Mangum said.
Naomi Girma, a center back for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, takes a peak at the solar eclipse with her teammates and staff as it passes over Columbus, Ohio at 99% totality Monday, April 8, 2024.
Naomi Girma, a center back for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, takes a peak at the solar eclipse with her teammates and staff as it passes over Columbus, Ohio at 99% totality Monday, April 8, 2024.

When will the next total solar eclipse happen?

It will be 20 years before there's a chance to witness a total solar eclipse in the United States again. According to NASA, after Monday's total solar eclipse, the next one viewable from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Unfortunately, the 2044 total solar eclipse won't have the broad reach across the U.S. as the 2024 eclipse. The path of totality during the 2044 eclipse will only touch three states, according to the Planetary Society, a nonprofit involved in research, public outreach and political space advocacy. The eclipse will begin in Greenland, sweep through Canada and end around sunset in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

But another eclipse scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12, 2045, will trace a path of totality over California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Contributing: Doyle Rice, Eric Lagatta, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, James Powel USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 total solar eclipse: See photos from Monday's rare event

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