SHERIDAN, Oregon/SALMON, Idaho—The moon blacked out the sun on Monday as the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in the United States in nearly a century began in western Oregon, while millions of Americans looked skyward in wonder through protective glasses, telescopes and cameras.
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, drew whoops and cheers from onlookers gathered in Depoe Bay, Oregon. The rare cosmic event was expected to draw one of the largest audiences in human history, including those watching through broadcast and social media.
Some 12 million people live in the 70-mile-wide (113-km-wide), 2,500-mile-long (4,000-km-long) zone where the total eclipse was to appear, while hordes of others traveled to spots along the route.
At Roshambo ArtFarm in Sheridan, Oregon, people aimed their cameras at the sky as the moon slowly ate its way across the midday sun, causing the air to cool.
“I’m really lucky we got to be here today,” said Jason Davis, 29, who got married on Saturday and decided to stop in Oregon for the eclipse. “It’s pretty cool. I’m sort of surprised by the temperature change.”
