• The total solar eclipse on Monday was a rare and highly-anticipated event that took place across North America, with 15 U.S. states experiencing a total eclipse where the sun was completely covered by the moon, while all continental states experienced a partial eclipse. [nypost.com, foxnews.com, newsweek.com]
  • Tens of millions of people gathered to watch the eclipse. [oann.com, townhall.com, newsweek.com]
  • With tens of thousands of people clogging highways during their return home from viewing the event, the eclipse led to severe traffic jams across the U.S. exacerbated by drivers pulling off into rest stops to watch the eclipse. [nypost.com]
  • A small aircraft transporting four individuals back from witnessing the solar eclipse in Arkansas crashed less than two minutes into its return journey, leaving all four passengers injured. [newsmax.com]
  • The solar eclipse interrupted activities at various locations, including Joe Biden’s dinner in Washington D.C. at 3:30 pm, and golfers, caddies, and spectators at the Masters tournament who stopped their activities to experience the event. [foxnews.com]
  • Animals at the Dallas Zoo, including giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and gorillas, reacted to the eclipse by shrieking, squawking, and running for cover, as the sky grew darker. [breitbart.com]
  • This was the first total solar eclipse to pass over North America in seven years, leaving enthusiasts stunned by the phenomena, which lasted for more than four minutes in some locations. [oann.com, newsweek.com]
  • The next total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. will occur on August 23, 2044. [oann.com]
  • Staring at the sun without proper eye protection can cause solar retinopathy, also known as “eclipse blindness,” which can result in temporary or permanent vision loss, and there is no treatment for this condition. [nypost.com]
  • Millions of eclipse glasses were donated after the 2017 eclipse, and Astronomers Without Borders has been providing hundreds of thousands of eclipse glasses to underserved communities, while Eclipse Glasses USA will be taking donations until the end of July for an annular October eclipse in Latin American nations. [nypost.com]
  • Many people reported experiencing “eclipse sickness” with symptoms like headaches and insomnia, and NASA says the next total solar eclipse will not pass over the U.S. again until Aug. 23, 2044, though solar eclipses can still occur multiple times throughout the year across the world. [foxnews.com]
  • Delta offered special flights from Texas to Detroit to allow passengers to view the eclipse from above 30,000 feet, but the experience was challenging due to small windows and a packed flight. [nypost.com]
  • A Georgia woman went on a shooting spree because of the solar eclipse, claiming God told her to do it, and she was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm. [townhall.com]
  •  NASA covered the event closely, with the “NASA Moon” account celebrating it in a unique and humorous way, and the Masters organizers provided branded glasses to safely view the eclipse. [foxnews.com]
  • Whoopi Goldberg dismissed conspiracy theories linking recent natural phenomena to apocalyptic predictions on the April 8 episode of The View. [newsweek.com]
  • Goldberg countered with a reminder of the predictability and scientific reasoning behind these events, stating that “eclipses happen and they actually can say when these things are gonna happen.” [newsweek.com]
  • Goldberg emphasized that “God doesn’t give you warning” and that the Tower of Babel was not preceded by a warning. [newsweek.com]
  • For scientists, a total solar eclipse provides a fleeting chance to study the sun’s outermost layers, solar wind, and other aspects of their field, contributing to a deeper understanding of the universe. [theguardian.com, washingtonpost.com]
  • Citizen scientists, including students, captured video of the eclipse through telescopes to contribute to research efforts on the sun’s corona and solar wind. [washingtonpost.com]

Sources:

  • New York Post
  • Fox News
  • One America News Network
  • Townhall
  • Newsmax
  • Breitbart
  • Newsweek
  • The Guardian
  • The New York Times
  • The Washington Post
  • NBC News