Crowds along the West Coast of the United States were awed by the eclipse of the sun, turning out in huge numbers to observe the celestial phenomenon.

People massed in an arc across the western part of the country to witness the rare event, with large gatherings reported in multiple states that fall under the "path of totality" in which a total eclipse is visible. Many journeyed north to get a better view.

Spectators directly in the path of totality were treated to a rare sight, when the sun and moon align directly and the only visible portions of the sun were the solar flares that shoot out from the sun’s surface, visible only along the edges of the black circle created where the moon obscured the closest star to earth.

The experience differed for those not in the path of the eclipse, but those celestial spectators were still treated to a partial eclipse. As the eclipse’s visibility moved its way from West to East Coast, viewers wearing special glasses also turned their heads to the sky to see the moon block out a good portion of the sun.

The total eclipse has been called a once-in-a-lifetime event, a claim that is true for many. The last time a total eclipse occurred from coast-to-coast in the United States was in 1918. There have been other total eclipses that have passed over parts of the US as well, including a 1979 eclipse that passed over Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. In 1991, Hawaii was in line to see a total eclipse, which was mostly visible to people in Central and South America.

Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia Show all 21 1 /21 Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia At the shrine of Bah-ud-din Zakria in Multan, Pakistan, the Moon can be seen edging its way across the Sun, producing a total solar eclipse AP Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia The eclipse as seen by scientists in Japan AFP/GETTY IMAGES Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A Hindu devotee watches a solar eclipse as he takes a bath in the River Ganges in Varanasi PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia Hindu devotees take holy dips in the Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Sarawati, during the solar eclipse in Allahabad, India AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A handout picture released from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan shows a total solar eclipse, obseved at Iwojima island, southern Tokio NAOJ/AFP/Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia Hindu women pray as they take a bath in the River Ganges after a total solar eclipse in Varanasi PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A partial solar eclipse is seen near the minaret of a mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan AP Photo/Anjum Naveed Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia Thai students watch the solar eclipse through a telescope equipped with a special filter at Dhepsarin school in Bangkok AP photo/Wason Wanichakorn Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A woman watches the solar eclipse through special sunglasses at a school in Hong Kong AP Photo/Vincent Yu Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A photographer uses an X-ray to take photos of a partial eclipse of the sun, at the Great Wall of China at Badaling, north of Beijing AP Photo/Greg Baker Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, watches the eclipse through specially-designed viewing glasses in Allahabad, India AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A partial solar eclipse is seen in Karachi on July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century cast a shadow over much of Asia, plunging hundreds of millions into darkness across the giant land masses of India and China. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia People watch the total solar eclipse at the Yonsei University on July 22, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The moon covered 78 percent of the sun during the solar eclipse viewed from Seoul. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia The solar eclipse is seen on July 22, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The moon covered 78 percent of the sun during the solar eclipse viewed from Seoul. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A Hindu holy man waits to cross the River Ganges moments before the solar eclipse in Varanasi on July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century cast a shadow over much of Asia, plunging hundreds of millions into darkness across the giant land masses of India and China. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia Thousands of Hindu devotees gather along the banks of the River Ganges to bathe after a total solar eclipse in the city of Varanasi.The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century cast a shadow over much of Asia, plunging hundreds of millions into darkness across the giant land masses of India and China. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A Nepalese Hindu devotee bathes in the Holy Bagmati river after a total solar eclipse at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia Thousand of Indian Hindu devotees shout as they take a bath in the River Ganges after a total solar eclipse in Varanasi. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia The eclipse close to its maximum viewed from Hong Kong is pictured during the partial solar eclipse in Hong Kong. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia The sealion, who has never seen an eclipse, will observe the solar eclipse with guests on July 22. Getty Images Solar eclipse celebrated by millions across Asia A South Korean girl uses binoculars to watch the longest solar eclipse of the century from the ground of Yonsei University in Seoul. The phenomenon, which occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, lasted over two hours and 40 minutes. Getty Images

The next total eclipse in the United States will occur in 2024, and will be seen from Texas to Maine. Aside from that, an annular eclipse — where the Sun appears as a ring around the Moon — in 2023, and will be visible from North Carolina to Florida.

Spectators in the line of the eclipse are encouraged to wear protective glasses when watching the eclipse, because even limited direct exposure can damage retinas permanently.