‘Oh God, it’s so dark’: Millions watch as total solar eclipse sweeps across North America

Mesquite, Texas: A cold midday darkness fell over North America as a total solar eclipse swept across the continent, thrilling those lucky enough to view the spectacle through clear skies.

Eclipse mania gripped all of Mexico, the United States and Canada as the moon passed in front of the sun on Monday (Tuesday AEST), blocking out daylight. Almost everyone in North America was guaranteed at least a partial eclipse, weather permitting.

It was the largest eclipse audience ever seen on the continent, with a couple hundred million people living in or near the shadow’s path, plus dozens of out-of-towners who flocked.

Clouds covered most of Texas as the total solar eclipse began its diagonal march across the land, starting along the mostly clear Pacific coast and targeting Texas and 14 other U.S. states. , before leaving for the North Atlantic near Newfoundland.