DENVER — The time has come for a total solar eclipse.
Millions of Americans watched as the moon moved in front of the sun, blocking all daylight for as much as four minutes in some areas.
The path of the 2024 total solar eclipse crossed North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. In certain areas, the sky darkened as if it were dawn or dusk.
> Watch below: Total solar eclipse moves across North America
> Watch below: Total solar eclipse moves across North America
When is the total solar eclipse?
The total solar eclipse occurred on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Colorado saw a partial solar eclipse, roughly between 11:30 a.m. MT and 1:30 p.m. MT, with a max partial eclipse around 12:30 p.m.
What will Colorado see during the eclipse?
Depending on where you were in Colorado, spectators could see a 54% to 78% solar eclipse.
The southeast corner of Colorado saw the greatest amount of totality with Springfield, Holly and Lamar seeing about 75% totality during the solar eclipse.
The northwest part of Colorado, including Grand Junction, Dinosaur, Craig and Steamboat Springs saw less than 60% totality on April 8.
Denver reached 65% totality during the solar eclipse. The partial eclipse started in Denver at 11:28 a.m. MT and ended at 1:53 p.m. MT with the max eclipse at 12:40 p.m. MT at 65% totality.
The partial eclipse lasted two hours, 25 minutes in Denver.
PHOTOS: Total Solar Eclipse 2024
Solar eclipse totality in Colorado
- Springfield - 76%
- Lamar - 74%
- Trinidad - 72%
- La Junta - 72%
- Limon - 69%
- Alamosa - 68%
- Colorado Springs - 67%
- Denver - 65%
- Durango - 64%
- Boulder - 63%
- Greeley - 63%
- Leadville - 63%
- Fort Collins - 62%
- Grand Junction - 59%
- Steamboat Springs - 59%
Will the clouds cover the eclipse in Colorado?
The National Weather Service in Boulder released a forecast of where clouds are expected Monday in Colorado.
"Northeastern Colorado looks like a great place to catch a glimpse!" the National Weather Service said.
Where will the total eclipse be visible?
All 48 contiguous states on that date will experience at least a partial solar eclipse.
The path of totality will reach communities from Texas to Maine. Durations longer than 4 minutes will stretch from Texas as far north as Economy, Indiana, according to NASA.
According to NASA, an estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year, compared to 12 million in the path of the 2017 eclipse. Totality in April's eclipse will also last longer than it did in 2017.
In 2024, the maximum totality will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, in an area about 25 minutes northwest of Torreón, Mexico. The longest period of totality in 2017 was near Carbondale, Illinois, at 2 minutes, 42 seconds.
Do I need to wear eclipse glasses?
For anyone who plans to view the eclipse, you must have properly certified solar glasses to do so safely.
Even though its a partial eclipse in Colorado, you still must wear properly certified solar glasses.
American Paper Optics CEO John Jerit said you should look for the International Organization for Standardization, ISO, emblem on glasses and packaging.
"The glasses are well constructed and manufactured and the lenses are tested and certified so that the lenses block out the correct amount of ultraviolet and intense visible light," said Jerit.
Jerit also said to avoid buying from foreign importers who may offer their glasses at a better cost.
There are many online resources and maps to figure out how long the eclipse will last near you. The National Solar Observatory and Eclipse2024.org offer precise timings and simulations.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Total solar eclipse
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.