The sky dimmed and a chill blew through as the moon moved into place to partially block the sun on Monday afternoon; thousands of spectators on the National Mall in D.C. burst into applause at the sight of a rare solar eclipse.
Eclipse glasses in hand, millions of people around the D.C. area and across the U.S. paused to look up while the solar eclipse unfolded.
PHOTOS: Glasses on for eclipse mania!
Thousands of those people lined the National Mall, sitting in the grass and gazing up. Among the onlookers was Sarah Hewes, who brought her two kids along to watch.
“It’s just one of those really unique human experience that brings everyone together,” Hewes said. It’s nice it’s a good reminder of what makes our spot in the universe beautiful and wonderful.
While those in the D.C. region weren’t in the path of totality, area residents could spot a partial solar eclipse. A few passing clouds and warm temperatures made for an ideal forecast for viewing.
The new moon began crossing the face of the sun at 2:04 p.m. The sun was obscured 89% at maximum eclipse at 3:20 p.m. And by 4:32 p.m., the eclipse had ended.
Some of those who snagged a spot on the National Mall are in from out of town. One traveler from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said he came to D.C. for the cherry blossoms and to check out the monuments, but stuck around for the eclipse.
“We learned yesterday that they were having an actual eclipse festival. We decided to tag along,” he told WTOP. “It seemed like a good place to put out a blanket and relax.”
Earlier on Monday, thousands of people lined up on the National Mall to get last-minute safety glasses for viewing the eclipse as part of an festival hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. A spokesperson told WTOP’s Nick Iannelli that event organizers passed out more than 2,500 pairs.
Some local schools created a learning opportunity out of Monday’s eclipse. Kids at Colvin Run Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia, sat in the grass, some in lawn chairs and looked awe-struck at the solar eclipse.
Some students told WTOP the sight of the shielded sun reminded them of a cookie with a bite taken out of it.
Outside of the free glasses, the museum offered telescopes and supplies for making a pinhole projector to safely watch the eclipse and other educational materials.
“We’re here to just educate folks who have down to the mall about how incredible the eclipse is, how it changes our earth and our climate,” said Shellie Pick, who’s with the Smithsonian Science Education Center. “Just spreading science today!”
A total eclipse happens when the moon lines up perfectly between Earth and the sun, blocking all sunlight. Monday’s solar event almost twice as long, with an even wider audience, than the total solar eclipse that stretched across the U.S. in 2017.
It lasted around 4 minutes and 28 seconds at its peak for those in its path of total darkness, which stretches from Mexico’s Pacific coast, crosses into Texas and 14 other U.S. states, before it exited over Canada.
North America won’t experience another coast-to-coast total solar eclipse for 21 years — that one will stretch from Northern California to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
More on the solar eclipse:
If you missed looking toward the sky, NASA streamed telescope views of the sun.
The Exploratorium museum, Time and Date and Slooh also streamed eclipse day views.
From educational events on the National Mall and the University of Maryland to nature-centered viewings at parks across Virginia, there are a number of viewing parties across the D.C. area. Check out WTOP’s full list of events.
Many businesses are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse to promote special deals and events. Fast food chains and snack brands are selling limited edition versions of their products nationally. Airlines such as Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths.
WTOP’s Emily Venezky, Greg Redfern and The Associated Press contributed to this report. WTOP’s Nick Iannelli reported from the National Mall in D.C. and WTOP’s Kyle Cooper reported from Fairfax County, Virginia.
