London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Mar 14, 2026

Total Solar Eclipse of 2021: 32 Million Witness the Mystical, $1.5bn Spectacle Sweep Across North America

A total solar eclipse, a rare celestial event, occurred on Monday, August 21, 2017, sweeping across North America.
Approximately 32 million people were in the path of totality, witnessing the moon's shadow cross the Mexico-Texas border and traverse 15 states.

The ethereal experience was denied to many due to low clouds and rain.

Those who saw it were treated to a remarkable and emotional display, with cities experiencing sudden darkness, a drop in temperature, and the stillness of twilight in the middle of the day.

The next solar eclipse of this magnitude in the US will not occur until 2044.

A total solar eclipse, where day turns to night and animals behave differently, is a mysterious and mystical experience according to Pam Melroy, deputy head of NASA and a retired astronaut.

This event drew in an estimated 4-5 million Americans to travel and witness it, making it the country's biggest travel day of the year with an estimated $1.5bn economic boost.

Many were up early to secure their viewing spots, and cities held watch parties and distributed free eclipse glasses.

Joe Biden from the White House also urged Americans to safely view the eclipse.

The Dallas-Fort Worth region in north Texas was a popular destination for the solar eclipse due to being in the path of totality.

However, cloudy weather caused last-minute changes for some viewers.

Despite this, many experienced clear skies and nearly four minutes of darkness.

A traveler from Lithuania, Ignas Barauskas, described it as "better than all expectations." However, the high demand led to expensive air fares, hotel rates, and canceled bookings being resold at inflated prices.

Several states and municipalities declared emergencies due to the expected large crowds.

The solar eclipse in North America occurred peacefully, despite warnings of increased terror threats.

Nasa live-streamed the event for those unable to view it directly or outside the path of totality.

The entire continent experienced a partial eclipse, with varying degrees of coverage depending on proximity to the center track.

Nasa conducted experiments, including launching rockets into the moon's shadow to study the impact on Earth's upper atmosphere and communications systems, and enlisted citizen volunteers to capture and analyze images of the solar corona during totality.

Additionally, researchers and volunteers observed animal behavior at several zoos during the eclipse.

A recent total solar eclipse caused various reactions among animals during previous occurrences, but zebras at Dallas zoo showed little interest.

The eclipse in the US in 2017 had an interval of only seven years, but this one had a longer track and wider shadow of totality due to the moon being closer to Earth.

The duration of totality was longer, with four minutes and 28 seconds in Torreón, Mexico, and between three and a half to four minutes in most places along the path.

The next total solar eclipse will be on August 12, 2026, and will cover large areas of the northern hemisphere, with totality limited to Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal.

On a specific date, the UK will experience a partial eclipse with over 90% coverage.

In contrast, residents of the mainland US will have to wait until August 22, 2044, to witness a total eclipse, which will be visible in North and South Dakota, Montana, and northern Canada.

After this, the next coast-to-coast total eclipse in the US will occur on August 12, 2045, stretching from California to Florida.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Royal Navy to Acquire Twenty Uncrewed Surface Vessels for Autonomous Warfare Testing
Russia Summons British and French Envoys After Ukrainian Storm Shadow Strike on Strategic Facility
Starmer Confirms Britain Will Maintain Sanctions on Russia Despite U.S. Policy Shift
UK Moves to Refine AI Definition in Investment Security Reform
UK Economy Stalls in January as Growth Unexpectedly Falls to Zero
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Tesla Secures Approval to Supply Electricity Directly to Homes Across Britain
Prince William Delivers Tribute to Australia’s Naval Alliance Amid Renewed Royal Spotlight on the Country
UK Foreign Secretary Travels to Saudi Arabia to Reinforce Support for Regional Allies
Putin’s ‘Hidden Hand’ May Be Assisting Iran in Conflict With Trump, UK Defence Secretary Warns
UK Sets April Deadline for Tech Platforms to Strengthen Online Protections for Children
Elon Musk Moves Into Britain’s Energy Market as Tesla Wins Licence to Supply Power
UK Watchdog Warns Fuel Retailers Against Profiteering Amid Iran War Price Surge
Report Claims Iran Used UK Charity Network to Expand Influence
United States and United Kingdom Establish Joint Standards for Counter-Drone Technology
Iran May Be Laying Naval Mines in Strait of Hormuz, UK Warns Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions
US Deploys Bunker-Buster Bombs to UK Airbase as Iran Conflict Intensifies
British Troops in Iraq Intercept Iranian Drones Targeting Coalition Base
Release of Mandelson Files Raises Tensions as UK Seeks Stable Relations With Donald Trump
UK Documents Reveal Starmer Was Warned About Mandelson’s Epstein Links Before Ambassador Appointment
Nearly Five Hundred UK Mortgage Deals Withdrawn in Two Days as Market Volatility Forces Lenders to Reprice
Three Cargo Ships Hit Near Iran as Attacks Spread to Strategic Strait of Hormuz
Why British Police Repeatedly Declined to Investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s UK Links
UK Parliament Ends Hereditary Seats in House of Lords, Closing Chapter on Centuries of Aristocratic Lawmaking
EU and UK Urge Israel to Act Against Rising West Bank Settler Violence Amid Regional Tensions
US Senator John Kennedy Says Keir Starmer Should Not Be Trusted for Military Advice Amid Iran War Debate
UK High Court Rejects Attempt to Revive Terrorism Charge Against Kneecap Rapper
Revolut Secures Full UK Banking Licence After Multi-Year Regulatory Wait
Kentucky’s Bench Boost Powers Wildcats Past LSU in SEC Tournament Opener
British Couple Die After Being Pulled From Water at Australian Beach During Family Visit
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
British Airways Suspends UK Repatriation Flights as Middle East Travel Disruption Deepens
US Forces Prepare Ordnance at RAF Fairford as Strategic Bombers Deploy for Middle East Operations
Nigel Farage Faces Criticism After Saying Britain Should Stay Out of Iran War
Landmark UK Trial Begins Over Sony’s PlayStation Store Pricing
UK High Court Rejects Bid to Challenge Britain’s Chagos Islands Agreement With Mauritius
Finnish Duo Triumphs in England’s Annual Wife-Carrying Race, Winning a Barrel of Ale
How U.S. and UK National Security Strategies Are Reshaping the Global Business Landscape
Green Party Gains Momentum as Labour Shifts Toward the Political Centre
Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dragon Sets Sail for Eastern Mediterranean as Regional Tensions Rise
UK Homebuilder Persimmon Warns Iran Conflict Could Dent Property Buyer Confidence
Roman Abramovich Signals Legal Fight if UK Seeks to Seize Chelsea Sale Funds
×