Rare Total Solar Eclipse Captured in Mexico
On April 8th, a rare total solar eclipse captivated people across North America, from the coast of Mexico to Niagara Falls on the U.S.-Canada border. Mazatlan, a major city in northern Mexico, was the first to witness the total solar eclipse, starting at 2:07 PM local time and lasting until 4:28 PM.
Thousands of people gathered along the beach in Mazatlan to witness this extraordinary celestial event. Cheers, applause, and whistles filled the air as the total solar eclipse unfolded. However, for astronomy enthusiasts in Vietnam, this phenomenon was unfortunately out of reach.
After Mazatlan, the total solar eclipse continued its journey through several states in the U.S., including Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York. It was estimated that around 15 states would have the opportunity to observe the eclipse in the northeast direction for over an hour.
This was the first total solar eclipse in North America since 2017. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez expressed his gratitude on social media, thanking those who helped him and his staff gain a better understanding of this special astronomical event. President Lopez even traveled to Mazatlan to witness the total solar eclipse firsthand.
As the eclipse made its way to major U.S. cities, many astronomy enthusiasts expressed their excitement for this unique event. Numerous eclipse-watching events were organized at bars, stadiums, fairs, and parks across several states. At Niagara Falls, hundreds of people dressed as the Sun gathered to observe the eclipse next to the roaring waters.
The duration of the total solar eclipse varied depending on the observer’s location, lasting up to 4 and a half minutes. As the sudden onset of twilight occurred, a few twinkling stars became visible, accompanied by a drop in temperature. The eclipse also had an impact on some species of birds and other wildlife, occasionally causing them to fall silent.
Dedicated eclipse chasers journeyed along a 4,000 km stretch from Mexico’s Pacific Coast through Texas and 14 other U.S. states to Canada, hoping to catch a glimpse of this natural wonder. The Moon’s shadow was expected to exit North America in Newfoundland.
Lourdes Corro, a 43-year-old enthusiast, shared her travel experience of driving 10 hours to Mazatlan to be part of what many consider one of nature’s greatest marvels. “The last eclipse I witnessed was when I was 9 years old,” Corro recalled.
Unfavorable weather conditions affected the eclipse viewing experience in some U.S. states. Approximately 32 million Americans reside within the path of the total solar eclipse. Federal officials estimated an additional 5 million visitors traveling to major cities to observe the eclipse.
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