Solar eclipse: The 20 best photos from 2024’s celestial spectacle
The most stunning images from the cosmic event of the century.
The moon passes in front of the sun during a solar eclipse on April 08, 2024 in Martin Ohio. Millions of people have flocked to areas across North America that are in the "path of totality" in order to experience a total solar eclipse. During the event, the moon will pass in between the sun and the Earth, appearing to block the sun. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Eclipse fever has gripped large parts of Mexico, USA and Canada. Millions of people flocked to areas in the path of totality to experience this rare total solar eclipse, and festivals have been held in many towns and cities to celebrate this amazing natural wonder.
The excitement has been compounded by the fact that this total solar eclipse coincides with the Sun reaching its peak in activity during its 11-year cycle. This means that an increased number of spikes and outflows have been visible, making the spectacle even more dramatic.
The eclipse lasted 4 minutes and attracted an estimated 32 million lucky people who managed to see the whole thing from start to finish. The next total solar eclipse in North America won't occur again until 2044.
Take a look at some of our favourite images from the 8th April 2024 total solar eclipse and the celebrations that have taken place to mark the event.
Houlton, Maine
Two runners participate in the Solar Sprint 3k on 7 April 2024 in Houlton, Maine, USA. The race is part of the town's festivities before the arrival of the eclipse. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesVisitors look through a pair of oversized eclipse glasses set up in the town square on 7 April 2024, in Houlton, Maine, USA. In the background, a statue of George Washington also wears protective glasses. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Fredericksburg, Texas
People browse updated weather reports ahead of the total solar eclipse on 7 April 2024 in Fredericksburg, Texas, USA. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesA sign displaying 'no school' is seen at Fredericksburg Middle School ahead of the total solar eclipse on 8 April 2024 in Fredericksburg, Texas, USA. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Russellville, Arkansas
A David Weigel, INTUITIVE Planetarium director at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, demonstrates how to wear eclipse glasses for the upcoming April 8 solar eclipse, at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival, on 7 April 2024 in Russellville, Arkansas, USA. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the official visitor centre for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
Horseshoe Falls, Canada
People sit next to the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on 8 April 2024 as they prepare for the total eclipse which will pass over the region. Photo by Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images
Mazatlan, Mexico
A woman observes the sun with a telescope ahead of this Monday's eclipse on 7 April 2024 in Mazatlan, Mexico. The last total eclipse observed from Mexico was in 1991 and the next one will be in 2052. Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesAn image made of multiple exposures, showing the evolution of the total solar eclipse as viewed from the beach at Mazatlan, Mexico, on 8 April 2024. Photo by Miguel Martínez Corona/ObturadorMX/Getty ImagesA person enjoys the total solar eclipse at the beach on 8 April 2024 in Mazatlan, Mexico. Photo by Ulises Martínez/ObturadorMX/Getty Images
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
The Moon passes in front of the Sun during a total solar eclipse as seen from the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on 8 April 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty ImagesA general view of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport as the Moon passes in front of the Sun during a solar eclipse on 8 April 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images
Niagara Falls, Canada
Conditions in Canada were cloudy during the totality, making eclipse viewing slightly more difficult. Here, the Moon crosses in front of the Sun on 8 April 2024 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images
Torreon, Mexico
The Moon covers the Sun during a total solar eclipse on 8 April 2024 in Torreon, Mexico. Photo by Antonio Ojeda/Agencia Press South/Getty Images
New York, USA
The solar eclipse passes behind the Statue of Liberty as the Moon passes in front of the Sun on 8 April 2024, in New York City, USA. New York only experienced a partial eclipse as it was not on the path of totality. Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
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Magog, Quebec, Canada
The Moon covers the Sun during a total solar eclipse in Magog, Quebec, Canada, on 8 April 8, 2024. Photo by Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Tijuana, Mexico
A partial Solar Eclipse through a science viewing box organized by the Astronomical Society of Baja California at the El Trompo Interactive Science Museum in Tijuana, Mexico, on 8 April 2024. Tijuana only experienced a partial eclipse, but many people gathered to view this rare event. Photo by Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty ImagesA child looks toward the sky with a Kylo Ren helmet from the Star Wars movies, to observe the solar eclipse outside at the El Trompo Interactive Science Museum in Tijuana, Mexico on 8 April 2024. Vast numbers of people gathered to observe the solar eclipse at the border city. Photo by Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images
The eclipse hits totality over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, USA on 8 April 2024. Photo by Christopher Mark Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images
James Cutmore is the picture editor of BBC Science Focus Magazine. He has worked on the magazine and website for over a decade, telling compelling science stories through the use of striking imagery. He holds a degree in Fine Art, and has been nominated for the British Society of Magazine Editors Talent Awards, being highly commended in 2020. His main areas of interest include photography that highlights positive technology and the natural world. For many years he was a judge for the Wellcome Trust's image competition, as well as judging for the Royal Photographic Society.
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