Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Cities in Mexico, the US, and Canada experienced darkness as a total solar eclipse swept across North America on Monday. This marked the first total eclipse in the region since 2017.
The solar eclipse made its initial landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast in Mazatlan at 11:37 pm IST. It was a rare celestial event where the moon passed directly between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow that obscured the sun completely.
The eclipse was visible from various locations across North America, with the period of totality lasting up to four minutes depending on the observer's location. A partial eclipse, where only a portion of the sun is obscured by the moon, was witnessed across most of the continental US.
An estimated 44 million people reside within the path of totality, with significant interest generated due to the eclipse crossing densely populated areas compared to previous occurrences. Approximately 31.6 million people had the opportunity to witness the event without leaving their cities.
Torreon in Mexico emerged as a prime location for eclipse enthusiasts, offering the longest duration of totality. People traveled from various places to witness the phenomenon along the 4,000 km path of totality stretching from Mexico's Pacific Coast through Texas and across 14 other US states into Canada.
Celestial enthusiasts worldwide were captivated by the event, which garnered attention for its visibility in populated areas. However, the celestial phenomenon was not visible from the Indian subcontinent.
Indian observers will have to wait until May 21, 2031, for the next opportunity to observe a "ring of fire" solar eclipse. This event will be visible from many cities across India, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The total solar eclipse brought awe and wonder to millions across North America, showcasing the mesmerizing beauty of celestial events and sparking anticipation for future astronomical phenomena.