Hundreds of newlyweds soak in total solar eclipse in Russellville, Arkansas
From CNN's Elise Hammond
Bride Toni Phillips and groom David Wells look on before a planned mass wedding of over 200 couples at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas. Mario Tama/Getty Images
The crowd in Russellville, Arkansas, soaked in love and the total solar eclipse on Monday.
Just before totality, hundreds of couples tied the knot in a mass marriage ceremony. Then, as the moon fully blocked out the sun, some of the couples cried, hugged and kissed, and took in the sight of the total eclipse in a hushed appreciation.
Russellville experienced about 4 minutes of totality.
"People here are really just soaking up this moment together with their loved ones," CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam said.
2:59 p.m. ET, April 8, 2024
Some cities in the Midwest are about to experience totality
From CNN staff
Melissa, left, and Michael Richards watch through solar goggles as the moon partially covers the sun during the total solar eclipse, in Wooster, Ohio. Erin Hooley/AP
The total solar eclipse is now visible in cities and towns in the Midwest of the United States.
Here's a look at when cities throughout the midwest will experience totality:
Here's why you shouldn't look directly at the solar eclipse without proper glasses
From CNN's Ashley Strickland
People look toward the sky at the 'Edge at Hudson Yards' observation deck in New York, on April 8, 2024. Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
The only time it’s safe to view the sun without eye protection is during the totality of a total solar eclipse, or the brief period when the moon completely blocks the light of the sun, according to NASA.
Otherwise, experts say it’s absolutely necessary to wear certified eclipse glasses or use handheld solar viewers that meet a specific safety standard when watching all other phases of a total or partial solar eclipse.
Looking at the sun without proper protection can result in solar retinopathy, or retinal damage from exposure to solar radiation. While the highly specialized cells inside our eyes don’t feel any pain, the rods and cones and photochemical reactors become inflamed and damaged when looking at the sun, said Ronald Benner, an optometrist and president of the American Optometric Association.
It’s a bit like the effect that occurs when we see a camera flash go off, which can distort our vision for a few minutes before it goes away. But the intensity of solar retinopathy causes permanent damage that won’t be immediately apparent.
Overnight, the cells can die, and they won’t be replaced. There is no treatment for solar retinopathy. It can improve or worsen, but it is a permanent condition. The changes in a person’s vision depend on the type of damage that is done, and these can occur in one or both eyes.
"The retina is an extension of the brain, so it’s actually neurological tissue, and when you damage that, it doesn’t always come back,” Benner said.
2:55 p.m. ET, April 8, 2024
The University of Kentucky flags potentially counterfeit eclipse glasses
From CNN's Taylor Nicioli and Ashley Strickland
On Friday morning, the University of Kentucky in Lexington alerted students to possible counterfeit eclipse glasses that were made available at the campus library.
The glasses were advertised as approved by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) for safe viewing, but after purchase a representative from the vendor warned the university that the glasses were not approved and therefore may not be safe for viewing the eclipse, according to a release from the University of Kentucky’s news site.
“UK Libraries ask that these glasses be discarded immediately and not used for viewing the upcoming eclipse,” the release said. “We sincerely apologize for the confusion.”
Counterfeit glasses were seen “polluting the marketplace” ahead of the total solar eclipse, according to a release shared by AAS in March.
2:52 p.m. ET, April 8, 2024
Totality passes over central Texas
From CNN's Jackie Wattles
The sky darkened as totality passed over Fredericksburg, Texas. Jackie Wattles/CNN
More than four minutes of total darkness just passed through Fredericksburg, Texas — turning the landscape dark as night.
The fully eclipsed sun peeked in and out of clouds. At one point, the stunning, blazing ring visible during totality even showed off what Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye called a solar flare.
Temperatures dropped in the area, shifting from sweltering humidity to the chill of midnight in mere minutes.
The sun disappeared behind the moon. Jackie Wattles/CNN
The crowd of hundreds gathered here let out loud cheers and cries of, "Oh my god!"
The sunrise began to creep back in from the west, and the diamond ring effect — a moment of intense brightness around the moon — was clearly visible just before the landscape was thrust back into daylight.
"It's magical everyone," said Nye from an outdoor stage event here. "I am just so happy to be sharing this with you all."
2:47 p.m. ET, April 8, 2024
Tornado watch issued in Texas in path of totality
From CNN Meteorologist Taylor Ward
A tornado watch has been issued for portions of eastern Texas and northern Louisiana, including some areas in the path of totality.
The western portion of this watch includes a part of Texas that is in the path of the total eclipse.
Severe storms are expected to develop this afternoon and after totality comes to an end in Texas around 1:49 p.m. local time.
The severe storms and potential heavy rain will impact the very crowded roadways over the next several hours.
“Supercells posing a threat for very large hail and a couple of tornadoes should gradually increase in coverage and intensity this afternoon as they spread east-northeastward,” the Storm Prediction Center said.
2:54 p.m. ET, April 8, 2024
Animals react as totality passes over Dallas zoo
From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury
As the solar eclipse reached full totality, staff at the Dallas zoo noted moments of change in animals' behavior.
The flamingos gathered in the middle of the pond together, a zoo staffer said, and the penguins also all clustered together. "All the birds are joining together," the zoo staff member said, to protect themselves and keep safe.
CNN's Ed Lavandera also observed that the zebras were running and ostriches later huddled together.
2:59 p.m. ET, April 8, 2024
Temperatures starting to drop in Texas
From CNN's Eric Zerkel
People watch a total solar eclipse in Eagle Pass, Texas. Christian Monterrosa/Reuters
A total eclipse is underway in Texas and the temperatures are responding in kind as sunlight is replaced by darkness.
Weather station data shows temperatures have begun to drop by a couple of degrees in cities and towns closest to the southern border of the United States. It is also starting to feel more humid. Temperatures could drop by 10 degrees in some areas in the path of totality with lesser drops in areas with a partial eclipse.
2:43 p.m. ET, April 8, 2024
Crowd in Kerrville, Texas, celebrates seeing totality despite cloud coverage
From CNN's Elise Hammond
In Kerrville, Texas, the crowd was not sure if clouds would block out the total solar eclipse on Monday.
But during totality, there were some moments where the clouds did part, revealing the view. The crowd cheered and clapped when the phenomenon was able to poke through the weather.
People, some lying down on their backs on blankets in the grass, others in lawn chairs, were looking up at the sky as it went completely dark.
