A total solar eclipse has moved in over the North American continent.
People in Mazatlán, Mexico were the first to catch a glimpse of the spectacular spectacle, which was last seen in eastern Canada.
– It’s the first time I’ve seen a solar eclipse and it was just absolutely wonderful. It was beautiful, says American Angela Johnson.
In the United States, the eclipse began in southern Texas at the border with Mexico. In total, the sun was completely eclipsed for four minutes, the temperature dropped and it became as chilly as the middle of the night.
Millions of people gathered to watch the spectacle, among them the President of the United States who urged people to protect their eyes with sooty glasses.
– Enjoy the solar eclipse you hear, but take it easy, don’t be careless, said Joe Biden on a recording from one of the White House balconies, where he was wearing protective glasses looking up at the sky.
– It’s the first time I’ve seen a solar eclipse and it was just absolutely wonderful. It was beautiful, says American Angela Johnson.
Was warned of clouds and haze
Weather reports had warned that clouds and haze would make it difficult to see the eclipse, which stretched across the continent from Mexico to northeastern Canada. Some cloud cover and haze also partially obscured visibility from Texas to Maine.
At Niagara Falls on the border between the US and Canada – one of the most popular places to view the eclipse – there was a slight haze that did not spoil the experience.
– You hear about these things and then when you see it live it’s just such a surreal experience. I think the solar eclipse was so beautiful, says American Mia Watkins.