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

The best photos from the 2017 total solar eclipse gatherings across America.

There's nothing like a rare astronomical event to bring Americans together.

Eclipse-chasers came out in droves on August 21 to witness a total solar eclipse — when the moon crosses between the Earth and the sun and blocks out the sun's light — at countless 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's been 99 years since a total solar eclipse crossed the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

The city hosted a beach party, titled "Get Eclipsed on IOP [Isle of Palms]."

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

San Franciscans lined the Embarcadero on the city's eastern waterfront to catch a glimpse.

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

And one San Francisco resident captured this stunning view reflected off a building.

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 the stadium on the Southern Illinois University campus. Southern Illinois will experience the longest duration of totality in the US, at approximately two minutes and 40 seconds.

The lights did not go out in Tempe, Arizona, where students and faculty at the University of Advancing Technology hit the quad for a partial eclipse viewing.

The crowds were out in full force in New York City's Madison Square Park.

Some people got a little extra excited.

About 30,000 eclipse-chasers arrived in Big Summit Prairie, Oregon, days ahead of the main event to camp, dance, and sweat at the Oregon Eclipse Festival.

Thirteen festival promoters from around the world joined forces to organize the festival, which takes on a Burning Man flavor with its art installations and seven concert stages.

The fashion was unsurprisingly fierce.

We will continue to update this post throughout the day.

The best photos from the 2017 total solar eclipse gatherings across America. Read Full Story