Tuesday 16 / April / 2024
The moon blacked out the sun on Monday as the first total solar eclipse in a century marched across the U.S. dazzling millions of Americans. Linda So reports
The solar spectacle began in Oregon, where thousands gathered in Depoe Bay to witness the moon black out the sun.
And when it finally happened, there was plenty to cheer about.
"It just kinda tickled you all over, it was just wonderful, wonderful and I wish I could do it again, but I won't ever see something like that ever again so I'm really glad I took the day off of work so I could experience this."
The rare cosmic event created near darkness and a drop in temperature and drew huge crowds to cities and towns in its path across the U.S.
In Carbondale, Illinois, all 15-thousand seats to the football stadium at Southern Illinois University were sold out.
It's where eclipse totality lasted the longest in the U.S., although spectators were momentarily disappointed when clouds blocked out the view.
As the eclipse made its way to the Atlantic Coast, President Trump, first lady Melania and son Barron stepped out onto the balcony of the White House to watch the show.
The last time such a spectacle unfolded from one U.S. coast to the other was in 1918.
For watchers in Charleston, South Carolina, 2017's version was a celestial treat they'll never forget.
"And then you saw the corona, and everybody was like 'oh my God, it's the corona' and everybody started clapping and people were cheering and it was great."
