Preparations for a major golf tournament came to a halt as schools emptied of students and thousands of people across North America turned their eyes to the sky to witness a rare celestial event. On Monday, parts of Canada, Mexico, and the United States experienced a total solar eclipse, a phenomenon that will not occur again for another two decades. While full total eclipses are not unusual, they typically happen in isolated areas such as over the ocean. This rare opportunity allowed scientists and star-gazers alike to witness the moon casting a shadow on the sun without having to go to extreme lengths to observe it. The last total solar eclipse in North America occurred in 2017, with the next chance for North Americans to experience one not until 2044 and 2045.
The eclipse began in Mexico and made its way through several US states before continuing into Canada. Schools in states along the eclipse’s path closed for the day, both to allow students to enjoy the event and for safety reasons. Even those outside the path of totality gathered in open spaces to witness the moon passing in front of the sun. At the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, players briefly paused to observe the eclipse, making jokes about the event. Onlookers across the continent marveled at the spectacle, with some speculating about the impact of the celestial event.