"Eclipse Extravaganza: North America Enthralls as Celestial Phenomenon Sweeps from Mexico to Canada"

North America was plunged into eclipse mania as millions of people witnessed a breathtaking celestial spectacle, offering a rare convergence of commercial and scientific opportunities. The event, observed by tens of millions of spectators, commenced with the Moon's shadow casting total darkness along the Pacific coast of Mexico at 11:07 am local time (1807 GMT). Subsequently, the eclipse swiftly swept across the United States at supersonic speed before making its way back to the ocean over Canada's Atlantic coast just under an hour-and-a-half after landfall.

Along the eclipse's "path of totality," where the Moon completely obscured the Sun for up to a few minutes, festivals, viewing parties, and even mass weddings were organized to mark the occasion, contingent upon favorable weather conditions. However, cloud cover thwarted visibility over certain regions of Texas.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador seized the opportunity to witness the eclipse firsthand in Sinaloa, describing the event as a "very beautiful, unforgettable day." Meanwhile, thousands gathered in Mexico City, just outside the path of totality, to marvel at the natural spectacle.

This year's path of totality spanned 115 miles (185 kilometers) wide and encompassed nearly 32 million Americans, with an additional 150 million residing less than 200 miles from the strip. Notably, the next total solar eclipse visible from a large part of North America is not expected until 2044.

Businesses capitalized on the excitement by hosting special events, while hotels and short-term rentals in prime viewing locations were fully booked months in advance. In Texas, eclipse watchers congregated at the Stonehenge II park in Ingram, where they cheered and celebrated at the moment of totality.

The scientific community also seized the opportunity to conduct research during the eclipse. NASA planned to launch a trio of sounding rockets before, during, and after the event to measure changes in the ionosphere, an upper layer of the atmosphere crucial for long-distance radio communication. Additionally, scientists aimed to study the Sun's corona, the outer layer of its atmosphere typically obscured by the Sun's bright light.

As the eclipse unfolded, spectators were treated to stunning visual phenomena, including the "diamond ring" effect and the brief appearance of planets like Venus and Jupiter in the sky. Startling animal behavior, such as roosters crowing at the eclipse's end, and heightened feelings of awe and camaraderie among observers added to the event's allure.

While former President Donald Trump infamously gazed directly at the Sun during the 2017 eclipse, health professionals urged caution and emphasized the importance of using certified eclipse glasses to prevent eye damage. President Joe Biden even poked fun at Trump's actions on social media, urging people not to follow suit.

Ultimately, only those within the path of totality could safely remove eye protection to admire the corona peeking out from behind the Moon's silhouette for a few precious moments.

As the eclipse concluded its journey across North America, it left in its wake a sense of wonder and unity among spectators, highlighting humanity's enduring fascination with the cosmos and our place within it.

Source: AFP

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