Solar eclipse visible in US for 1st time since 2017

NASA livestreamed the event.

June 10, 2021, 7:12 AM

A "ring of fire" solar eclipse was visible Thursday in the U.S. for the first time since 2017.

PHOTO: A partial solar eclipse rises behind clouds, June 10, 2021, in Arbutus, Md.
A partial solar eclipse rises behind clouds, June 10, 2021, in Arbutus, Md.
Julio Cortez/AP

The event -- which occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light -- illuminated the sky shortly after 5 a.m. EDT.

PHOTO: A statue of Our Lady, Star Of The Sea on Bull Wall in Dublin, is silhouetted against the sky during a partial solar eclipse, June 10, 2021.
A statue of Our Lady, Star Of The Sea on Bull Wall in Dublin, is silhouetted against the sky during a partial solar eclipse, June 10, 2021.
Brian Lawless/PA via AP

NASA started livestreaming the spectacle on its website in the early morning.

PHOTO: A partial solar eclipse rises over bridges crossing the East River in New York, June 10, 2021.
A partial solar eclipse rises over bridges crossing the East River in New York, June 10, 2021.
Justin Lane/epa-efe/shutterstock/Justin Lane/EPA via Shutterstock
PHOTO: An annular solar eclipse rises over the skyline of Toronto, June 10, 2021.
An annular solar eclipse rises over the skyline of Toronto, June 10, 2021.
Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP

The eclipse could be seen in northeastern North America and northern regions of Europe and Asia.

PHOTO: The sun is partially eclipsed as it rises over lower Manhattan in New York, June 10, 2021.
The sun is partially eclipsed as it rises over lower Manhattan in New York, June 10, 2021.
Seth Wenig/AP

NASA had said it would begin around 4 a.m. and end at 9:11 a.m. ET in the northeastern U.S., but time of maximum eclipse varies by location, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

Though the moon blocked some of the sun's light Thursday morning, NASA emphasized on Twitter that it's "never safe to look directly at the Sun," and advised people to wear eclipse glasses or use an indirect viewing method to watch the eclipse.

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