The total eclipse is making its way across the United States, 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 total eclipse, 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
People using protective glasses to watch the eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico. Pic: Reuters/Henry Romero
The moon covering the sun during tonight’s total eclipse
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.
For onlookers, the total eclipse is lasting up to four minutes and 28 seconds. As the sun is covered by the moon, darkness descends and there is also a noticeable temperature drop.
Darkness falling over Mazatlan. Pic: AP Photo/Fernando Llano
The eclipse is now moving through multiple US states and up to eastern Canada.
An early afternoon chill swept across Texas as the total solar eclipse began its journey across the United States.
Reacting to the moment of totality in Dallas, one onlooker told Sky News: “It’s amazing, you can see the stars around it. It’s incredible.”
The eclipse was slightly obscured by clouds in some areas, but crowds didn’t let the weather ruin the experience.
Clouds partially covered the eclipse in Eagle Pass, Texas. Pic: Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle via AP
Clouds in Arlington, Texas. Pic: AP Photo/Julio Cortez
In Georgetown, Texas, the skies cleared just in time to give spectators a clear view.
“We are really lucky,” said Susan Robertson. “Even with the clouds it is kind of nice because when it clears up it is like wow.”
The eclipse was first visible in Mexico.
It is now travelling across the United States and will reach Canada at around 8.20pm (UK time). Pic: Reuters
Today’s event is something of an anomaly as total eclipses are only meant to happen once every 375 years in any one place in the world – yet people in Illinois are seeing one for the second time in seven years.
The city of Carbondale saw a total solar eclipse in August 2017 and is today in the path of totality yet again.
The path is approximately 115 miles wide and encompasses several major cities, including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York and Montreal. It is taking just one hour and 40 minutes for the eclipse to race along its 4,000 mile course.
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Tourists began gathering at Niagara Falls State Park hours before the eclipse. Pic: AP Photo/Carolyn Thompson
More people will experience this total eclipse than at any other point in human history, US correspondent Mark Stone said.
The shadow is passing over the homes of 32 million people – and plenty more have travelled to see it, with Texas alone preparing for up to one million visitors.
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Some US towns and counties declared state of emergencies in a bid to get ahead of the influx of star gazers, and residents and tourists alike were told to stock up on food and water before the big day amid shortage fears.
A partial eclipse, set to start at 7.52pm BST, may be visible in parts of Ireland and the UK.