The last total solar eclipse in the United States occurred on Monday, August 21, 2017, captivating skywatchers across the country. The eclipse’s path of totality started on the West Coast in Lincoln City, Oregon, at 9:05 a.m. local time, reaching totality at 10:16 a.m. local time. The lunar shadow then swept across all U.S. states, traveling at over 1,200 miles per hour, with watchers in 14 states experiencing totality. The darkness of totality hit Charleston, South Carolina, at 2:48 p.m. local time, and the lunar shadow left the U.S. at 4:09 p.m. ET.
Eclipse-chasers in the U.S. were able to experience totality from coast to coast, with the path stretching across 14 states. Even those outside the path of totality were able to witness a partial eclipse. All U.S. states and all of North America got to see at least a partial eclipse during this rare event.
Photographers across the country captured stunning images of the eclipse, showcasing the moon’s shadow as it swept across all 50 states. The eclipse not only provided a celestial spectacle but also had visible effects on Earth, with astronauts aboard the International Space Station capturing the moon’s shadow casting darkness on the planet. The eclipse-watchers on the ground saw how the event briefly changed the world around them, creating unique and memorable moments for all who witnessed it.