By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN | AP Science Writer
DALLAS — Many people in North America saw the moon block the sun during a total solar eclipse on Monday.
The total eclipse extended from Mazatlán, Mexico to Newfoundland, passing through 15 U.S. states and being visible to 44 million people. People experienced darkness in state parks, on city rooftops, and in small towns.
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024: The view of the complete eclipse across North America
Most people in North America who were not in the direct path still saw a partial eclipse, with the moon turning the sun into a fiery crescent.
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Residents of Laguna Woods observed the partial solar eclipse using special glasses at a viewing event organized by the Astronomy Club on April 8, 2024. Over 200 people attended the event.
(Photo by Mark Rabinowitch) -
The total solar eclipse in Austin, Texas on April 8, 2024. Cloud cover in Texas partially blocked the view, but the eclipse was still visible in many areas. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The total solar eclipse in Austin, Texas on April 8, 2024. Cloud cover in Texas partially blocked the view, but the eclipse was still visible in many areas. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The sun started to be obscured by the moon as it passed over Austin, Texas on April 8, 2024. Cloud cover in Texas partially blocked the view, but the eclipse was still visible in many areas. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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A screen displayed the partial solar eclipse through a digital connection to a telescope at a viewing event in Laguna Woods hosted by the Astronomy Club. Some residents chose to stay indoors to watch the partial eclipse on April 8, 2024. Over 200 people attended the event.
(Photo by Mark Rabinowitch) -
Laguna Woods residents observed the partial solar eclipse using special glasses at a viewing event organized by the Astronomy Club on April 8, 2024. Over 200 people attended the event.
(Photo by Mark Rabinowitch) -
Laguna Woods residents observed the partial solar eclipse using special glasses at a viewing event organized by the Astronomy Club on April 8, 2024. Over 200 people attended the event.
(Photo by Mark Rabinowitch) -
Individuals used a telescope and solar glasses to view a solar eclipse at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA on April 8, 2024. Southern California experienced a partial eclipse with just over 50% coverage. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Students and staff at Oxford Academy in Cypress caught a glimpse of the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Children looked through a telescope and solar glasses during a solar eclipse event at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA on April 8, 2024. Southern California experienced a partial eclipse with just over 50% coverage. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Riva Karki, 14, a 9th-grade student at Oxford Academy in Cypress, takes a photo with her classmates during the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Phto by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Left: Shadow Hills Elementary School students watch the solar eclipse in Fontana on Monday, April 8, 2024. About half of the sun was covered by the moon while totality was seen from Matazlan, Mexico through Texas and the midwest and out through Maine. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Right: The total eclipse of the sun in Austin, Texas on Monday, April 8, 2024. Cloud cover over the Texas partially blocked the view but the eclipse was still visible in many areas. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The moon covers most of the t