US

In pictures: Total solar eclipse plunges stretch of North America into darkness

A total solar eclipse is plunging the skies along a swathe of North America into darkness.

The moon will completely block out the sun for more than four minutes in some places along a path starting in Mexico and crossing through the United States and into Canada.

Millions are hoping for clouds to clear as they eagerly wait for the phenomenon to reach their location.

Almost everyone on the continent is guaranteed to see at least a partial eclipse – weather permitting.

Follow live:
Total eclipse begins as millions of stargazers wait to be plunged into darkness

A total solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan in  Mexico
Pic: Reuters
Image:
A total solar eclipse is seen from Mazatlan in Mexico
Pic: Reuters

Image:
Pic Nasa TV

People dance next to models of the earth, sun and moon at Saluki Stadium in Illinois.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
People dance next to models of the earth, sun and moon at Saluki Stadium in Illinois.
Pic: Reuters

Tawhid Rana  hold his daughter Thia, as she views the sun  at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Pic: AP
Image:
Tawhid Rana holds his daughter Thia, as she views the sun at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pic: AP

A Rainbow forms over Niagara Falls as people wait for a solar eclipse .
Pic: Reuters
Image:
A rainbow forms over Niagara Falls as people wait for a solar eclipse. Pic: Reuters

Clouds pass in front of the sun in Eagle Pass.
Pic: Texas Houston Chronicle/AP
Image:
Clouds pass in front of the sun in Eagle Pass.
Pic: Texas Houston Chronicle/AP

Ximena 7 and Magdalena Govea 11 wait at the Saluki Stadium in Illinois.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Ximena 7 and Magdalena Govea 11 wait at the Saluki Stadium in Illinois.
Pic: Reuters

People prepare their telescopes in Mazatlan, Mexico to observe a total solar eclipse.
Image:
People prepare their telescopes in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Pic: Reuters

People  prepare their telescopes as people gather and wait to observe a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

Some of the 309 people gathered to break the Guinness World Record for the largest group of people dressed as the sun in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Image:
Some of the 309 people gathered to break the Guinness World Record for the largest group of people dressed as the sun in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Pic: Reuters

Passengers wear solar eclipse glasses as they get ready to board a plane en route to Detroit, Michigan
Image:
Passengers wear solar eclipse glasses as they get ready to board a plane en route to Detroit, Michigan.
Pic: Reuters

People stand next to bubbles as they assemble to view a total solar eclipse in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
People stand next to bubbles as they assemble to view a total solar eclipse in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Pic: Reuters

People gather on the observation deck of Edge at Hudson Yards before a partial solar eclipse in New York.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
The observation deck of Edge at Hudson Yards in New York.
Pic: Reuters

Fabian Rodriguez in Eagle Pass, Texas
Image:
Fabian Rodriguez in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Pic: Reuters

Tourists sit by the Horseshoe Falls ahead of the Solar Eclipse.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Tourists sit by the Horseshoe Falls ahead of the Solar Eclipse. Pic: Reuters

Map showing when the eclipse will happen across the United States
Image:
Path of the eclipse (UK timings)

Tamra Sylvester poses with a person dressed as a NASA astronaut during a total eclipse viewing event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway .
Pic: AP
Image:
Tamra Sylvester poses with a person dressed as a NASA astronaut during a total eclipse viewing event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Pic: AP

Special protective glasses placed for people to observe the solar eclipse, in Torreon. Mexico.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Special protective glasses placed for people to observe the solar eclipse, in Torreon. Mexico.
Pic: Reuters

Amateur astronomers prepare to watch a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Pic: AP
Image:
Amateur astronomers prepare to watch a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Pic: AP

A map showing parts of the UK that will be able to see a partial eclipse
Image:
A map showing parts of the UK that will be able to see a partial eclipse

Read more:
What can I see in the UK and when?
Experts debunk eclipse claims from conspiracy theorists

What are scientists hoping to learn from eclipse

Total eclipse promo

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Articles You May Like

European SpaceX rival raises $160 million for reusable capsule to carry astronauts, cargo to space
Police force makes ‘improvements’ in treatment of women including new rules on strip searches – but questions remain after Sky News investigation
Key proponent of Trump’s false election claims set to head justice department after Gaetz withdrawal
Biden adding ‘fuel to fire’, Kremlin says – as Ukraine allowed to fire US missiles into Russia
Elliott named most popular for 7th straight year