A remarkable total solar eclipse passed across North America on April 8, 2024.
Circa 32 million people were in the path of totality as the moon’s shadow crossed the Mexico-Texas border at noon and passed over 15 states in the next hour and a half.
Since it was daytime, entire cities were plunged into total darkness and a moment of coldness.
Animals are known to change their behavior when they sense a solar eclipse coming – running, grunting, screeching.
Tourism officials believe at least 4 to 5 million traveled from other parts of the US to witness the show, making it the country’s biggest travel day of the year and bringing in an estimated whopping $1.5bn economic boost.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region was the largest metropolitan area on the path of totality, making north Texas a major destination and creating potential headaches for locals, says The Guardian.
Ignas Barauskas traveled to Texas from Lithuania, arriving just hours before the eclipse began.
„Better than all expectations”, he told the Guardian, after the clouds parted and Dallas experienced almost four minutes of blackout.
“Everyone was screaming, like a concert”, he added.
The next total solar eclipse in Europe is in 2026, and in North America in 2044.
