Solar eclipse 2017: Photos from around Austin

Austinites might have been a little bummed when we first realized we would see only 65.2% of the 2017 solar eclipse that was visible over a swath of the United States today. It was the first total eclipse of the sun visible in the United States in 99 years.

But those who didn’t fly Lear jets etc. to cities such as St. Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Columbia, South Carolina, which were in the path of totality, soon realized a partial eclipse is still a pretty great eclipse. They stepped out on to blazing sidewalks or into city parks and pools (all cooled down somewhat during the peak of the event) to see, photograph, and witness the event of a century.

It was 11:41 a.m. locally when moon began its pass in front of the sun. The partial eclipse visible from Austin peaked at 1:10 p.m., and the whole thing was over by 2:39 p.m.

So what did the rare event look like in Austin? For those with proper viewing glasses, cameras, or other suitable equipment, it looked like a crescent moon peeking through the clouds. Others noticed the crescent-shadows the eclipse cast as its light passed through tree branches and other items that mediated its trip to the ground . And anyone who was paying attention had to notice the eerie, gray quality the ambient light took on during the moon’s brief passage between Earth and sun.

Today’s event also made Austinites sit up and take notice of the fact that we’ll get the chance to view a total solar eclipse in 2024. Until then, here are some scenes from today’s impressive partial one.

How was your Great American Solar Eclipse? Let us know in the comments or even post a photo!