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Total solar eclipse captivates America – live! Total solar eclipse captivates America – live!
(35 minutes later)
9.01pm BST
21:01
The view from the zoo
This is from Kathleen Murray Harris, in Columbia, South Carolina. The Palmetto State was the last to experience a total eclipse, at around 2.40pm.
The giraffes started running toward the elephants; the flamingos began to fly away; the lorikeets began to get eerily quiet. A peak capacity crowd of 8,800 people gathered at the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens to watch the eclipse—and to bear witness and record its effect on the zoo’s animals.
As the sky began to darken and turn a luminescent shade of gray, about five minutes before totality at 2:41 pm, the crowd began to get just as excited as the animals. “It’s happening…oh my,” screamed a group of students from Heritage Academy Middle School in Augusta, GA.
They traveled with their teacher, Larry Martin, to Columbia since it was “the best place to watch” but some students admitted they were more excited to go to the zoo. That quickly changed once the sky turned dark. “The giraffes, the giraffes…look at the giraffes,” they screamed in glee. Charlotte, NC resident Matt Dowell was also awestruck.
“I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t that excited about the eclipse, but that was awesome,” he said.
Zoo officials had been planning for this event for 6 months and didn’t know what to expect—in terms of the crowds and animal behavior. Columbia resident and zoo representative Susan O’Cain said that Columbia had received a lot of attention and the planning was a little overwhelming at times.
“I’m exhausted, but I thrive off this. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Adam Hartstone-Rose, the Zoo’s adjunct scientist and professor of cell biology and anatomy at USC Medical School, was running from exhibit to exhibit to witness the animal activity. He was euphoric about the response and said the Chinese fortune cookie he received this week proved true: “Opportunity awaits you next Monday.”
8.47pm BST
20:47
'I could have looked at that for another 20 minutes!'
Here’s the Guardian’s story of the eclipse, from our reporters around the country:
After weeks of anticipation, the sight of the moon’s silhouette passing directly in front of the sun, blotting out all but a halo-like solar corona and causing a precipitous drop in temperature, drew whoops and cheers from onlookers gathered in Madras, Oregon.
“First contact!” someone yelled. Horns honked. Eclipse glasses were popped on to faces, all of which turned eastward to the sun.
As the sky grew dark, around 10.16am, the temperature started to drop and eclipse viewers started to shout and cheer. The most common exclamation was: “Oh my God!” A ring of light glimmered around the black moon – the long-awaited corona, finally safe to view with the naked eye.
Light returned quickly. “Come back, moon!” someone yelled. As onlookers exhaled and shook the tension out of their bodies, someone said: “I could have looked at that for another 20 minutes!”
As quickly as it came, the eclipse receded, as the umbra – the location of the total shadow – bolted across the continent at an average speed of 1,700 miles per hour. When all is said and done the “totality” will have engulfed a strip of the country occupied by 12.2 million people, joined temporarily by millions more who traveled to the 70-mile-wide eclipse path for the spectacle.
In Madras, Keeman Wong had been waiting 15 years for the moment. He first bought a solar filter as a middle schooler in Hong Kong in the 1960s, to protect his eyes during a partial eclipse. For the past 15 years, Wong, who now lives in Los Angeles, has attempted to witness a total solar eclipse – in Zimbabwe, Easter Island and China – but each attempt was foiled by weather, travel snags or state department warnings against travel to dangerous areas. He was entranced by how eclipse viewers spoke about their experiences.
“They describe it as life-changing,” he said.
This time, he let nothing get in his way. He even packed the small rectangular filter that he’d bought five decades ago.
“I got here early because I said, ‘if there’s an accident on the road, an earthquake… I’m going to be there’,” he said. “It’s worth everything.”
For Wong, the most spectacular moment was the end of the total eclipse. “I’m not religious but I think it’s something very like when God says, ‘let there be light’,” he said.
Updated
at 8.54pm BST
8.37pm BST
20:37
The International Space Station caused quite a stir today when it cruised past the sun, mid-eclipse.
The ISS orbits the earth 15.54 times a day, travelling at 17,200mph, I just found out.
Here's what the International Space Station looked like crossing in front of the mid-eclipse sun https://t.co/8f86nCg9zN #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/Ro6kXYVqq1
International Space Station #Eclipse photobomb via @NASA pic.twitter.com/NashX5OCEX
8.19pm BST8.19pm BST
20:1920:19
Staff warn Trump not to look directly at sunStaff warn Trump not to look directly at sun
Here’s a report from the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs, who is on duty as the White House pool reporter today. It seems President Trump had to be cautioned against looking at the sun.Here’s a report from the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs, who is on duty as the White House pool reporter today. It seems President Trump had to be cautioned against looking at the sun.
At 2.38pm, the President, the First Lady and Barron Trump walked onto the Blue Room Balcony. The President waved and gestured at the crowd and occasionally made inaudible comments. When one reporter asked him “How’s the view?” the President responded with a thumbs up gesture.At 2.38pm, the President, the First Lady and Barron Trump walked onto the Blue Room Balcony. The President waved and gestured at the crowd and occasionally made inaudible comments. When one reporter asked him “How’s the view?” the President responded with a thumbs up gesture.
At approximately 2.39pm, the President initially gesticulated to the crowd below and pointed at the sky. As he did so, one of the White House aides standing beneath the Blue Room Balcony shouted “don’t look.”At approximately 2.39pm, the President initially gesticulated to the crowd below and pointed at the sky. As he did so, one of the White House aides standing beneath the Blue Room Balcony shouted “don’t look.”
At approximately 2.41pm, almost at the eclipse’s apex, the President put on glasses and stood next to the First Lady observing the eclipse for approximately 90 seconds. Barron Trump joined them briefly as well.At approximately 2.41pm, almost at the eclipse’s apex, the President put on glasses and stood next to the First Lady observing the eclipse for approximately 90 seconds. Barron Trump joined them briefly as well.
At 2.45pm, the President, the First Lady and Barron Trump walked back into the White House. They were followed shortly thereafter by the remaining dignitaries on the balcony.At 2.45pm, the President, the First Lady and Barron Trump walked back into the White House. They were followed shortly thereafter by the remaining dignitaries on the balcony.
This tweet appears to capture the moment Ben describes.This tweet appears to capture the moment Ben describes.
Someone: don't look into the ec-Donald trump: pic.twitter.com/71wpDiwPr1Someone: don't look into the ec-Donald trump: pic.twitter.com/71wpDiwPr1
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8.17pm BST8.17pm BST
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Totality ends over AmericaTotality ends over America
At 2.48pm local time in Charleston, South Carolina, the path of totality moved off the coast into the sea – and now America must wait another seven years for a total eclipse. A partial solar eclipse will remain until about 4.10pm.At 2.48pm local time in Charleston, South Carolina, the path of totality moved off the coast into the sea – and now America must wait another seven years for a total eclipse. A partial solar eclipse will remain until about 4.10pm.
8.17pm BST8.17pm BST
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Here in New York City we got 71.4% of an eclipse at 2.44pm.Here in New York City we got 71.4% of an eclipse at 2.44pm.
The peak eclipsing was obscured by cloud, which lessened the effect a little. The skies darkened but only in the way they do when a rain shower is imminent. The peak moment itself was a bit of an anti-climax. But at the Museum of Natural History we got a solid 30-40 minutes of moon on sun action, with occasional cheers and applause from the crowd.The peak eclipsing was obscured by cloud, which lessened the effect a little. The skies darkened but only in the way they do when a rain shower is imminent. The peak moment itself was a bit of an anti-climax. But at the Museum of Natural History we got a solid 30-40 minutes of moon on sun action, with occasional cheers and applause from the crowd.
No roosters crowed. No one burst into song. No human sacrifices were made.No roosters crowed. No one burst into song. No human sacrifices were made.
But the clear skies did make for a beautiful image. Like this one, from the Guardian’s Paul Owen. He says he nearly blinded himself taking it.But the clear skies did make for a beautiful image. Like this one, from the Guardian’s Paul Owen. He says he nearly blinded himself taking it.
Got you! #eclipse pic.twitter.com/N2YP8iCtJGGot you! #eclipse pic.twitter.com/N2YP8iCtJG
7.56pm BST7.56pm BST
19:5619:56
The Guardian’s Charlotte Simmonds is in Big Summit Prairie at Oregon Eclipse – a week-long festival to celebrate the total eclipse. She writes:The Guardian’s Charlotte Simmonds is in Big Summit Prairie at Oregon Eclipse – a week-long festival to celebrate the total eclipse. She writes:
On a prairie in the woods of Ochoco national forest, attendees spent the weekend dancing, swimming, doing yoga and attending inspirational talks. At 9am on Monday morning, thousands gathered on the hills around a lake for a special eclipse “ceremony”. Some played music while others chanted, though many sat in silence. As the moment of totality approached, shouts and applause filled the air. At 10.19am – the moment of totality – people embraced as the sky fell dark, stars came out, and the sun’s extraordinary corona was visible for a brief few minutes.On a prairie in the woods of Ochoco national forest, attendees spent the weekend dancing, swimming, doing yoga and attending inspirational talks. At 9am on Monday morning, thousands gathered on the hills around a lake for a special eclipse “ceremony”. Some played music while others chanted, though many sat in silence. As the moment of totality approached, shouts and applause filled the air. At 10.19am – the moment of totality – people embraced as the sky fell dark, stars came out, and the sun’s extraordinary corona was visible for a brief few minutes.
Colin Day, a video game programmer from the Bay Area, said this was his fourth eclipse. “I saw my first one at a small festival on Easter Island. Then one in Australia and one in Indonesia. It never gets old. It’s the most beautiful natural phenomenon I’ve ever seen.”Colin Day, a video game programmer from the Bay Area, said this was his fourth eclipse. “I saw my first one at a small festival on Easter Island. Then one in Australia and one in Indonesia. It never gets old. It’s the most beautiful natural phenomenon I’ve ever seen.”
Sharon Melnick, 61, had travelled from her home in Klamath Falls, Oregon. “I knew this is where I wanted to be and who I wanted to be with.” She said it was her second eclipse and that witnessing the phenomenon was a moment to reflect. “I liked stepping into the silence and the darkness. I thought about what I’m leaving behind and what I’m bringing into the light. It was two minutes that could be used transformationally and I am grateful for it.”Sharon Melnick, 61, had travelled from her home in Klamath Falls, Oregon. “I knew this is where I wanted to be and who I wanted to be with.” She said it was her second eclipse and that witnessing the phenomenon was a moment to reflect. “I liked stepping into the silence and the darkness. I thought about what I’m leaving behind and what I’m bringing into the light. It was two minutes that could be used transformationally and I am grateful for it.”
Vanessa Baskin, an arial performance artist, had travelled from Brooklyn. For her the eclipse symbolized a moment of personal growth she called “a marriage to myself”. “The eclipse is more than a thing that’s just happening,” she said. “I’m putting my own meaning on it. I wanted to use the union of two celestial bodies as a metaphor for loving myself.”Vanessa Baskin, an arial performance artist, had travelled from Brooklyn. For her the eclipse symbolized a moment of personal growth she called “a marriage to myself”. “The eclipse is more than a thing that’s just happening,” she said. “I’m putting my own meaning on it. I wanted to use the union of two celestial bodies as a metaphor for loving myself.”
Many at the festival said it had taken them 12 hours to drive on site, which was only accessible down a dirt road, on Wednesday and Thursday due to heavy traffic. In the nearby town of Prineville, a gas station had run out of gas for several hours. “We saw them get slammed for two days,” said Sherry, a local resident who worked at the restaurant next door. Speaking on the Saturday before the eclipse, she said the restaurant itself hadn’t been as busy as expected – “we’d planned for the worst” – but they hoped “business would pick up over the weekend”. And where was she planning to watch the eclipse? “From a chair in my backyard.”Many at the festival said it had taken them 12 hours to drive on site, which was only accessible down a dirt road, on Wednesday and Thursday due to heavy traffic. In the nearby town of Prineville, a gas station had run out of gas for several hours. “We saw them get slammed for two days,” said Sherry, a local resident who worked at the restaurant next door. Speaking on the Saturday before the eclipse, she said the restaurant itself hadn’t been as busy as expected – “we’d planned for the worst” – but they hoped “business would pick up over the weekend”. And where was she planning to watch the eclipse? “From a chair in my backyard.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.59pm BSTat 7.59pm BST
7.54pm BST7.54pm BST
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Trump watching the eclipse – in picturesTrump watching the eclipse – in pictures
The president was watching the eclipse from the White House with first lady Melania – and he seemed to enjoy himself.The president was watching the eclipse from the White House with first lady Melania – and he seemed to enjoy himself.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.56pm BSTat 7.56pm BST
7.47pm BST7.47pm BST
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Guardian contributor Lily Raff McCaulou was with eclipse-watchers in Madras, Oregon. She writes:Guardian contributor Lily Raff McCaulou was with eclipse-watchers in Madras, Oregon. She writes:
In Madras, Keeman Wong had been waiting 15 years for the moment. He first bought a solar filter as a middle schooler in Hong Kong in the 1960s, to protect his eyes during a partial eclipse. For the past 15 years, Wong, who now lives in Los Angeles, has attempted to witness a total solar eclipse – in Zimbabwe, Easter Island and China – but each attempt was foiled by weather, travel snags or state department warnings against travel to dangerous areas. He was entranced by how eclipse viewers spoke about their experiences.In Madras, Keeman Wong had been waiting 15 years for the moment. He first bought a solar filter as a middle schooler in Hong Kong in the 1960s, to protect his eyes during a partial eclipse. For the past 15 years, Wong, who now lives in Los Angeles, has attempted to witness a total solar eclipse – in Zimbabwe, Easter Island and China – but each attempt was foiled by weather, travel snags or state department warnings against travel to dangerous areas. He was entranced by how eclipse viewers spoke about their experiences.
“They describe it as life-changing,” he said.“They describe it as life-changing,” he said.
This time, he let nothing get in his way. He even packed the small rectangular filter that he’d bought five decades ago.This time, he let nothing get in his way. He even packed the small rectangular filter that he’d bought five decades ago.
“I got here early because I said, ‘if there’s an accident on the road, an earthquake … I’m going to be there,’” he said. “It’s worth everything.”“I got here early because I said, ‘if there’s an accident on the road, an earthquake … I’m going to be there,’” he said. “It’s worth everything.”
For Wong, the most spectacular moment was the end of the total eclipse.For Wong, the most spectacular moment was the end of the total eclipse.
“I’m not religious but I think it’s something very like when God says, ‘let there be light,’” he said.“I’m not religious but I think it’s something very like when God says, ‘let there be light,’” he said.
7.42pm BST7.42pm BST
19:4219:42
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.44pm BSTat 7.44pm BST
7.33pm BST7.33pm BST
19:3319:33
Groans here at the American Museum of Natural History as clouds obscure the sun, which is in the process of being obscured by the moon.Groans here at the American Museum of Natural History as clouds obscure the sun, which is in the process of being obscured by the moon.
But then cheers as the clouds clear off!But then cheers as the clouds clear off!
“I’ve been excited all summer. I’m a huge space geek so I’ve been spending the entire summer figuring out the best plan,” says Brooke Boetticher, 21.“I’ve been excited all summer. I’m a huge space geek so I’ve been spending the entire summer figuring out the best plan,” says Brooke Boetticher, 21.
Boetticher is here with her mum, Janet, and sister Brittany, who is 16. They’ve travelled her from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, to witness the eclipse in the city.Boetticher is here with her mum, Janet, and sister Brittany, who is 16. They’ve travelled her from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, to witness the eclipse in the city.
The Boettichers have all got eclipse glasses and have formed what they call an “eclipse family”. The eclipse family is made up of their actual family, two other women, and me.The Boettichers have all got eclipse glasses and have formed what they call an “eclipse family”. The eclipse family is made up of their actual family, two other women, and me.
The Boetticher family witnessing the eclipse in NYC pic.twitter.com/HGNBvSrk9eThe Boetticher family witnessing the eclipse in NYC pic.twitter.com/HGNBvSrk9e
“It’s like a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Brittany says.“It’s like a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Brittany says.
“It’s really cool to be able to see it and be here with a bunch of people who also like seeing the same thing.”“It’s really cool to be able to see it and be here with a bunch of people who also like seeing the same thing.”
A quick scroll through this blog will reveal the difficulty I’ve had in describing the eclipse all day.A quick scroll through this blog will reveal the difficulty I’ve had in describing the eclipse all day.
Brittany puts it quite well though:Brittany puts it quite well though:
“It’s like a reverse crescent moon. Instead of the moon its the sun.”“It’s like a reverse crescent moon. Instead of the moon its the sun.”
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It’s been a big day for Nasa – the space agency reported 4.4 million people were watching its TV coverage midway through the eclipse, the biggest livestream event in its history.It’s been a big day for Nasa – the space agency reported 4.4 million people were watching its TV coverage midway through the eclipse, the biggest livestream event in its history.
7.24pm BST7.24pm BST
19:2419:24
The solar eclipse continues to march eastwards – and we’ve got about half an hour until its final bow at 2.49pm ET near Charleston, South Carolina. Send us your pics and video!The solar eclipse continues to march eastwards – and we’ve got about half an hour until its final bow at 2.49pm ET near Charleston, South Carolina. Send us your pics and video!
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6.57pm BST6.57pm BST
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Here’s a refresher of where we’re up to. Idaho has just experienced a total eclipse, and cities and towns in the middle of the US will soon be treated to the same.Here’s a refresher of where we’re up to. Idaho has just experienced a total eclipse, and cities and towns in the middle of the US will soon be treated to the same.
Here on the east coast we can already see a partial eclipse. South Carolina will be the last state to get a total eclipse, at around 2.40pm.Here on the east coast we can already see a partial eclipse. South Carolina will be the last state to get a total eclipse, at around 2.40pm.
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at 7.03pm BSTat 7.03pm BST