Solar eclipse fever: The day everyone in Michigan looked up

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Thousands of people across the state looked up to the sky Monday afternoon to catch a glimpse of a rare celestial event.

MLive photographers fanned out across the state in Midland, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Grand Blanc and Jackson to capture the solar eclipse.

Most of Michigan experienced a partial eclipse, where the moon covered most, but not all, of the sun’s disk. But the farthest southeastern corner of the state, just above the Ohio border, experienced a very brief glimpse of the dramatic scene that was 100% totality — when the sun’s disk is completely covered by the moon, darkening the sky in a profound but momentary dusk.

RELATED: Solar eclipse of the heart: Michigan couple weds atop castle during celestial phenomenon

In addition to coverage in Michigan, MLive’s Neil Blake ventured down to New Palestine, Indiana to capture the solar eclipse in totality, which lasted nearly four minutes.

A total solar eclipse requires an exact alignment of the sun, moon, and earth. This eclipse was the first since August 2017 – and the last chance to witness the phenomenon this close to Michigan for decades.

Below are some of our favorite photographs from around the state. Click here to see the full gallery.

Eclipse Elopement at Helmer Castle

Bride and Groom Vanessa and Anthony Badall, center, pose with best man Bryson Maddick and maid of honor Autumn Quigly outside before their eclipse elopement at Helmer Castle in Liberty Township on Monday, April 8, 2024.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Grand Blanc students awestruck by solar eclipse

Students from two kindergarten classes, escorted outside by their teachers Amy Johnston and Wendy Sheridan, stare toward the sky with their specially-made glasses to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Myers Elementary School in Grand Blanc, Mich. The paper plates, which help provide further safety for their eyes, were added on and decorated by each student in their classrooms as a project leading up to the big day.Jake May | jmay2@mlive.com

Solar eclipse in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids resident Isdora Hinman, 4, views the solar eclipse on a telescope during a watch party at the Blue Bridge hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Museum in downtown Grand Rapids on Monday, April 8, 2024. The telescope was being operated by amateur astronomer Jerry Klebba, of Kentwood.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Solar eclipse in Grand Rapids

Mallorie Cheves and Isaiah Pfund view the solar eclipse during a watch party at the Blue Bridge hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Museum in downtown Grand Rapids on Monday, April 8, 2024. They are from Grand Rapids.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Solar Eclipse

Sifa Mulili, 3, draws a sun as she waits to watch the solar eclipse at the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum in Portage, Mich., on Monday, April 8, 2024.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Grand Rapids Solar Eclipse 2024

The solar eclipse is reflected from a telescope on the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids on Monday, April 8, 2024. Grand Rapids saw an almost 94% max eclipse at 3:11 p.m.Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Grand Blanc students awestruck by solar eclipse

Myers Elemetary School students watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Grand Blanc, Mich. Jake May | jmay2@mlive.com

Solar Eclipse

Abby Horein’s supplies to homeschool her kids as they watch the solar eclipse at the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum in Portage, Mich., on Monday, April 8, 2024. The eclipse was her five children’s field trip for they day.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Solar Eclipse

The Mata family watches the solar eclipse at the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum in Portage, Mich., on Monday, April 8, 2024. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Solar eclipse in Grand Rapids

People view the solar eclipse, including Izzy Wood, bottom left, as part of a watch party at the Blue Bridge hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Museum in downtown Grand Rapids on Monday, April 8, 2024. Wood is a student at Davenport University. Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Solar eclipse in Grand Rapids

Elizabeth Lane, right, draws with chalk near Liga Bergs as they wait to view the solar eclipse during a watch party at the Blue Bridge hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Museum in downtown Grand Rapids on Monday, April 8, 2024. Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Eclipse watch party at Jackson College

Brandon Richardson of Jackson attends a solar eclipse watch party on Monday, April 8, 2024 outside of Jackson College’s Astronomical Observatory. About 150 people attended the watch party.J. Scott Park | jpark4@mlive.com

Grand Blanc students awestruck by solar eclipse

Custodian Amanda Rook lays on a slide to witness the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Myers Elementary School in Grand Blanc, Mich. She said the last time she saw one was when she was in eighth grade. “It’s pretty cool to be able to see one again,” she said.Jake May | jmay2@mlive.com

Eclipse watch party at Jackson College

People gather for a solar eclipse watch party on Monday, April 8, 2024 outside of Jackson College’s Astronomical Observatory. About 150 people attended the watch party.J. Scott Park | jpark4@mlive.com

Grand Blanc students awestruck by solar eclipse

The solar eclipse, as seen on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Grand Blanc, Mich. Jake May | jmay2@mlive.com

MORE SOLAR ECLIPSE COVERAGE:

Solar eclipse brings 2 weather conditions you might not realize

‘It looks like a banana’: Grand Blanc elementary students awestruck by solar eclipse

‘Awe-inspiring experience’: People flock to downtown Grand Rapids to catch solar eclipse

Solar eclipse watch party is family function at Air Zoo

‘Wow!’: 150 gather at Jackson College to watch rare solar eclipse

Tri-city communities gather at Midland airport to view solar eclipse

First appeared on www.mlive.com

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