In the United States alone, more than 30 million people live in the area where it could have been visible, for a few minutes at most. The event represents an economic opportunity for many regions receiving an influx of tourists, and for scientists.
“A total eclipse is one of the most emotional events we can experience,” wrote NASA astronomer Jane Rigby. ‘It was great, I loved it,’ said Gary Christensen, a lawyer who traveled from the state of Oregon to the small Texas town of Ingram.