Eclipse-chasers came out in droves to watch the solar eclipse across the US — take a look

Eclipse-chasers came out in droves on Monday to witness a total solar eclipse — when the moon crosses between the Earth and the sun and blocks out the sun's light — at gatherings across the country.

Total solar eclipses happen about every one to three years, but Monday's event was special. It was the first time since 1918 that the path of totality, where day briefly turns to night, cut diagonally across the entire US.

We rounded up the best photos of people watching the eclipse from Portland, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. We will continue to update this post throughout the day.

Eclipse-watchers came early to a beach in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. It has been 99 years since a total solar eclipse crossed the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

The city hosted a beach party: "Get Eclipsed on IOP."

In Casper, Wyoming, people came prepared with telescopes for a better look.

Bentley Ewell, 7, wore a space suit on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown in South Carolina.

A pair of lovebirds embraced at the Carhenge monument in Alliance, Nebraska.

People traveled near and far to be in the path of totality in Idaho.

The Bald Knob Cross of Peace drew a crowd of over 700 people in Alto Pass, Illinois.

Some preferred to take in the eclipse from a more private area, like the enthusiasts watching from atop Carroll Rim Trail at Painted Hills, near Mitchell, Oregon.

The Griffith Observatory was the place to be for eclipse-watching in Los Angeles.

People could snap a selfie with the Hollywood sign while they were there.

People waited in line long before the gates opened at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. The region experienced the longest duration of totality in the US: approximately two minutes and 40 seconds.

The stadium was packed inside.

New Yorkers came out in full force to sneak a peak of the eclipse.

Here was the view from above Manhattan's Flatiron District.

Some people made signs to show their enthusiasm.

The observation deck of The Empire State Building was perhaps more crowded than usual.

San Franciscans climbed the Bernal Heights Hill to catch a glimpse of the eclipse.

While it was cloudy, they were treated to a good view while wearing eclipse glasses.

Residents of Forth Worth, Texas, saw about 75% of the sun blocked by the moon.

The Fabiano family of South Carolina celebrated the eclipse with a beach day.

This group of friends retreated to the volcanic beds of Menan Butte in Menan, Idaho.

There's no shame in taking a time-out for a rare astronomical event.

People from coast to coast got creative with their protective eyewear. A woman at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, wore a welder's helmet.

Kudos to the Campano sisters from Maryland for making solar viewers out of cereal boxes.

We're not sure the paper plate adds anything but character to these eclipse glasses.

Jane Watts from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, lent a pair of protective eyewear to her cat.

One of the largest and remote eclipse watch parties took place in Big Summit Prairie, Oregon, where about 30,000 eclipse-chasers arrived days ahead of the main event.

The Oregon Eclipse Festival took on a Burning Man flavor with its art installations, workshops, and seven concert stages featuring over 400 musical acts.

Americans have to wait only seven years until the next total solar eclipse is visible in the United States — and this guy's T-shirt becomes relevant again.

Eclipse-chasers came out in droves to watch the solar eclipse across the US — take a look

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