The 2024 total solar eclipse captivates America: See stunning photos of the rare event

The 2024 total solar eclipse passed over Earth Monday and the country was enthralled.

The eclipse covered hundreds of cities and towns in a 115-mile wide path of totality across 13 U.S. states, temporarily leaving communities in darkness. Some places will saw totality for about four minutes.

The next time a total eclipse will be visible in the U.S. will be 2044, leaving skywatchers scrambling to save the memory as best they can.

While the astral event doesn't usually blind people (especially if they wear proper eye protection) there is an easy way to watch the moon pass in front of the sun: Check out the photos below from the USA TODAY Network as the 2024 solar eclipse captivates the country.

Total solar eclipse 2024 live updates:Watch video and see what time it will hit your area

See progression of the 2024 solar eclipse

Stream the 2024 solar eclipse

What is a solar eclipse?

Any celestial object like a moon or a planet that passes between two other bodies can create an eclipse by obscuring the view of objects like the sun.

A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears as the same size as the sun and blocks the entire disk from Earth, leading to a period of darkness lasting several minutes. The resulting "totality," whereby observers can see the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere known as the corona, confuses animals – causing nocturnal creatures to stir and bird and insects to fall silent.

A recent study even found that clouds activity is altered by eclipses as shallow cumulus clouds were observed vanishing when the moon obscured the sun.