LOS ANGELES, April 8 (Xinhua) -- A total solar eclipse is sweeping across North America on Monday, as residents and visitors gathered in different locations on the path of the eclipse to watch and cheer.

The total solar eclipse -- nicknamed the Great American Eclipse for its long path over North America -- is visible in the sky over parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada.

The Mexican city of Mazatlán was the first place to see the total solar eclipse as it emerged over the Pacific Ocean on Monday.

Totality reached Mazatlán at 11:07 a.m. Pacific Time, and lasted for a little more than four minutes.

The path of the eclipse continued from Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan could also experience the total solar eclipse, according to NASA.

Cities in the state of Maine will be the last locations in the United States to experience total solar eclipse, according to NASA live broadcast.

The eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, and continue through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. Newfoundland Daylight Time, according to NASA.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

Many cities in the path are hosting public viewing events and giving away eclipse safety glasses. At several zoos, researchers are joining citizen observers to watch how animals behave.

After the total solar eclipse on Monday, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA. Enditem

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