A rare total solar eclipse plunged the Pacific coast of Mexico into complete darkness at 11:07 am. The "path of totality," where the Moon completely obscures the Sun's light, will streak across Mexico and the United States, before returning to the ocean over Canada's Atlantic coast, in a celestial spectacle witnessed by tens of millions of people.
This year's path is 115 miles wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans, with an additional 150 million living less than 200 miles from the strip. Those further away can still enjoy a partial eclipse, or follow a webcast provided by NASA.
The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from a large part of North America won't come around until 2044.
Festivals, viewing parties, and even mass weddings are planned along the eclipse's path. Cloud cover was forecast over Texas and northeastern US states. Businesses are capitalizing on the excitement with special events, while hotels and short-term rentals in prime viewing locations have been booked solid for months.
Delta airlines has planned two special flights along the path, while many schools in the zone shut for the day.