Total eclipse hits America, Mexico, sweeping across North America

The total eclipse will be viewable along a path starting in western Mexico and then crossing through the United States and into Canada, and will last more than four minutes in some places.

The Mexican beachside resort town of Mazatlan was the first major viewing spot in North America. Thousands of people gathered along the coastal promenade, setting themselves up in deck chairs with eclipse glasses as an orchestra played the “Star Wars” theme.

Lourdes Corro, 43, traveled 10 hours by car to get there.

The last one I saw was when I was 9 years old,” Corro said. “There are a few clouds but we can still see the sun.”

Eclipse fans are gathering in numerous places along the “path of totality”.

In upstate New York, for instance, the total eclipse will occur shortly after 3 p.m. (1900 GMT). At the Frontier Town campground in North Hudson, New York, children ran around wearing eclipse T-shirts, while parents set up tables, chairs and beer coolers.

Connecticut residents Bob and Teresa Love were stretched out in the cargo bed of their pickup truck, eating pastries and hoping the forecasted clouds hold off long enough to not obscure the spectacle.