US stargazers head for prime eclipse viewing spots

Updated / Tuesday, 22 Aug 2017 10:47
The diamond ring effect at Madras, Oregon
The diamond ring effect at Madras, Oregon

Millions of Americans armed with protective glasses are taking positions along a slender ribbon of land cutting diagonally across the US to marvel at the first total solar eclipse to unfold from coast to coast in nearly a century.

The view from Charleston, South Carolina as the sun begins to go behind the moon
The view from Charleston, South Carolina as the sun begins to go behind the moon
Donald Trump defied all the warnings to look at the sun without protective eyewear
Donald Trump defied all the warnings to look at the sun without protective eyewear
Skywatchers during the eclipse at Madras, Oregon
Skywatchers during the eclipse at Madras, Oregon
Zoe Spyridonos tries out eclipse glasses ahead of the total solar eclipse in Charleston, South Carolina
Zoe Spyridonos tries out eclipse glasses ahead of the total solar eclipse in Charleston, South Carolina
Traffic near Madras, Oregon, which is hosting dozens of eclipse festivals
Traffic near Madras, Oregon, which is hosting dozens of eclipse festivals
An countdown clock over a display of Total Eclipse Moonshine distilled to commemorate the eclipse, at Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky
An countdown clock over a display of Total Eclipse Moonshine distilled to commemorate the eclipse, at Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Suzanne Rapley of Santa Barbara, California is in Madras, Oregon to view the eclipse
Suzanne Rapley of Santa Barbara, California is in Madras, Oregon to view the eclipse
Hopkinsville, Kentuck is near the point of the greatest totality for the eclipse – Sinking Fork Baptist Church takes advantage of the event to spread the word
Hopkinsville, Kentuck is near the point of the greatest totality for the eclipse – Sinking Fork Baptist Church takes advantage of the event to spread the word
Martin Ferreira (L) Michele Nemschoff (C) and Keith Petterson (R), total eclipse enthusiasts, try out their protective eye wear
Martin Ferreira (L) Michele Nemschoff (C) and Keith Petterson (R), total eclipse enthusiasts, try out their protective eye wear
Visitors explore the observatory at the South Carolina State Museum
Visitors explore the observatory at the South Carolina State Museum
A diamond ring solar eclipse is seen from Central Sulawesi in Indonesia in March 2016
A diamond ring solar eclipse is seen from Central Sulawesi in Indonesia in March 2016

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