Millions of people were plunged into darkness this evening as the total eclipse made its way across the United States and eastern Canada, after starting in Mexico.
The highly-anticipated eclipse saw the Earth, the sun and the moon perfectly aligned, resulting in ‘totality’ – the moment when the face of the sun is completely blocked by the moon.
The Mexican beach town of Mazatlan was the first place to witness the cosmic event, at around 7.15pm UK time, and cheers broke out on the promenade as it began.
Follow live: Millions in the US plunged into darkness
The moon covering the sun during tonight’s total eclipse
Map showing when the eclipse happened across the United States
Hundreds of people wearing eclipse glasses had gathered in a beachside park and passed time by listening to a youth orchestra playing Star Wars songs as images of Princess Leia were projected on to a big screen.
Those viewing the phenomenon could see the sun’s outer atmosphere, called the corona, shining bright around the edge of the moon as it was blocked.
For onlookers, the total eclipse lasted up to four minutes and 28 seconds. As the sun was covered by the moon, darkness descended and there was also a noticeable temperature drop.
Darkness falling over Mazatlan, Mexico. Pic: AP Photo/Fernando Llano
The eclipse moved through multiple US states and major cities – including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo and New York – before making its way to eastern Canada.
It took just one hour and 40 minutes for the eclipse to race along its 4,000 mile course and an early afternoon…
