Total solar eclipse darkens skies over Mexico before moving across US as millions gather to watch

A total solar eclipse crossing North America has darkened skies across Mexico, the USA and Canada. The moon started to cover up the sun as the partial eclipse began over the South Pacific on Monday afternoon (April 8).

Millions along a narrow corridor in North America from Mexico’s Pacific coast to eastern Canada were hoping for the clouds to clear as they eagerly wait for totality to reach their location.

Totality will last up to four minutes and 28 seconds in certain spots. Cheers broke out along the beach in the resort city of Mazatlan in Mexico as the moon began to pass over the sun.

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Hundreds in a beachside park had passed the time readying their equipment and listening to a youth orchestra play Star Wars songs while a large screen projected images of Princess Leia behind them.

Dazzling pictures show the event; which is something of an anomaly. Total eclipses are only meant to happen once every 375 years in any one place in the world.

Fifteen US states get a chance to see the full eclipse, although just a small part of Tennessee and Michigan are included. The length of totality varies by location. The moon’s shadow that falls on Earth follows along a path that is 115 miles wide.

President Joe Biden posted a brief video on X, formerly Twitter, to encourage Americans to wear eye protection when viewing the eclipse – in a subtle dig at his predecessor and 2024 rival, former president Donald Trump.

“Folks, enjoy the eclipse, but play it safe, don’t be silly,” Mr Biden said in a video showing him donning eclipse glasses and looking skyward from the balcony outside the Blue Room of the White House.