Rare solar eclipse in US draws millions - in person and on screens

Idaho

MILLIONS of Americans armed with protective glasses took positions along a slender ribbon of land cutting diagonally across the United States to marvel at the first total solar eclipse to unfold from coast to coast in nearly a century.

After weeks of anticipation, the sight of the moon's shadow passing directly in front of the sun, blotting out all but the halo-like solar corona, was expected to draw one of the largest audiences in human history, experts say.