WINONA, Minn. — Mother Nature didn't cooperate with Minnesotans looking to experience Monday's eclipse, but the overcast clouds didn't completely dampen the spirits of those celebrating.
The party continued as planned at Winona State University where spectators were treated to a brief break in the clouds, allowing for a quick glimpse of Monday's eclipse.
"We just want to celebrate the universe today, right?" said Dr. Jennifer Anderson, a Winona State professor and planetary geologist, "The moon will literally go in between the Earth and the sun."
Dr. Anderson said she had been watching the weather, hoping for a momentary break so the people who gathered on campus didn't go home empty-handed.
The crowd was eventually rewarded.
"The earth tried to thwart us but we did see it and it looked just like it was supposed to look like," said Anderson.
Just east of Dallas, the hundreds gathered at Mesquite’s downtown area cheered and whistled as the clouds parted in the final minutes before totality. As the sun finally became cloaked, the crowd grew louder, whipping off their eclipse glasses to soak in the unforgettable view of the sun’s corona, or spiky outer atmosphere, and Venus shining brilliantly off to the right.
City officials reminded everyone that the last total solar eclipse in these parts was the 1870s, making this one all the more special. Eclipse-themed music was turned off as the big moment approached.
“Oh, God, it’s so dark,” marveled Aiyana Brown, 14, who watched alongside her grandfather, Mesquite Mayor Daniel Aleman Jr. “I’m a huge science nerd, and this is amazing.”
The weather also cooperated at the last minute near Austin. “I will never unsee this,” said Ahmed Husseim of Austin, who had the eclipse on his calendar for a year. Husseim and his family were among hundreds who gathered on the lawn of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, with blankets, lawn chairs and country music.
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