Eclipse 2024 pictures: An eerie darkness descends

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

People watch a total solar eclipse as the sky goes dark in Mazatlan, Mexico, Monday, April 8, 2024.
Mazatlan in Mexico was the first to experience totality [Fernando Llano/AP]
A total solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.
The Moon perfectly blocked the Sun [Jeff Overs/BBC]
A kid watches the eclipse from the beach on April 08, 2024 in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Children paused their beach play to watch in Mexico [Hector Vivas/Getty Image]
People use special protective glasses to observe a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.
People used special protective glasses to observe the event [Henry Romero/Reuters]
A partial solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.
Tens of millions watched as day turned to night [Henry Romero/Reuters]
A youngster and a woman prepare their telescopes as people gather and wait to observe a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico April 8, 2024.
Thousands gathered early in preparation for the event [Henry Romero/Reuters]
Clouds roll by as the beginning phase of a total solar eclipse is visible from Arlington, Texas, Monday, April 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Clouds rolled by as the beginning phase became visible from Arlington, Texas [Julio Cortez/AP]
Sun spots are seen during the beginning phase of a total solar eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.
The clouds parted for some clearer views [Julio Cortez/AP]
Debbie Ward looks to the sky during the total solar eclipse, where the moon blots out the sun, at Wheelock Academy, in Millerton, OK, U.S. April 8, 2024.
Observers in Oklahoma were also plunged into darkness [Leah Millis/Reuters]
Visitors watch the solar eclipse move into totality during an eclipse viewing event in Bloomington, Indiana
People gathered in wonder in the US state of Indiana [Chet Strange/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
The moon eclipses the sun during a total solar eclipse across North America, in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 8, 2024.
This year's path of totality was 115 miles (185 kilometres) wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans [JOSH EDELSON/Getty Images]
Couples view the solar eclipse during totality at a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas.
Couples wed at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas [Mario Tama/Getty Images]
People assemble to view a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will partially blot out the sun, at Times Square in New York City, U.S. April 8, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
While New York City wasn't in the path of totality, people could see up to 90% of the sun covered by the moon [Shannon Stapleton/Reuters]
The sky darkens as people watch during totality of the total solar eclipse across North America, at Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, New York, on April 8, 2024.
A heavy cloud cover was over Niagara Falls as the sky got darker [ANGELA WEISS/Getty images]

More on the solar eclipse

All photos subject to copyright. Gallery compiled by Emma Lynch