CLEVELAND — How cool was that?
The April 8 solar eclipse — a moment we've been waiting years to experience — put multiple Northeast Ohio locations like Cleveland and Akron in the path of totality.
And we were here to share the historic day with you with live streaming coverage inside this story!
TOTALITY
During our 3News special "Total Eclipse of the Park," we had live coverage from several spots around Cleveland as the city went into totality at approximately 3:15 p.m. At the Great Lakes Science Center, Russ Mitchell and Betsy Kling were joined by Dr. Jimmy Kenyon, director of Cleveland's NASA Glenn Research Center.
SOLAR ECLIPSE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Thousands of people came to the region to witness the historic moment.
"It was just astronomical," Liam Padgett from Greensboro, North Carolina, told 3News. "I couldn't comprehend what it was."
Elizabeth Wright and her husband John traveled all the way from Oxnard, California.
"It was worth the trip, for sure," Elizabeth said. "One hundred percent would do it again tomorrow."
"It was just like nighttime, and the buildings lit up and everything just looked like it was dusk," John added. "It was just so amazing."
Hundreds packed into Edgewater Park, including Kaz and Heather Kashihara from Arizona.
"Incredible," Heather said. "I've never experienced anything like this before, and I mean, it was just incredible to see the solar flares coming out. That was a big surprise to me."
Others didn't have to drive as far, but were just as mesmerized by the phenomenon.
"It was amazing, and the temperature, it just dropped," Anusha Gibson, from Aurora, recalled. "And to see the sun set almost and then come back to life, it was amazing. It really was."
"When it finished the totality and exposed the sun again, it was like somebody hit a light switch," Al Wohl, a Sheffield Lake native and former WKYC production manager, concurred.
Our crews posted many amazing moments from totality on social media. Here's a sampling of some of the incredible views of Cleveland in totality.
And check out our time-lapse view of the eclipse from our WKYC Studios Big Picture Cam.
ECLIPSE PREVIEW
3News' Betsy Kling and Jay Crawford teamed up to bring you a live streaming eclipse special on Thursday night ahead of the event. You can watch the special here:
ECLIPSE LINKS FROM BETSY KLING
MORE ECLIPSE COVERAGE
- Here's where to find safe eye protection for Monday's solar eclipse
- LIST: Solar eclipse events happening in Northeast Ohio on April 8
- What time does the solar eclipse happen on April 8 in Northeast Ohio? Check this list to see when you can watch in your area
- April 8 solar eclipse: These Ohio locations will spend the longest time in totality
- Solar eclipse 2024: Cleveland announces road closures, parking restrictions and transportation options ahead of April 8
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park announces temporary parking lot closures ahead of April 8 solar eclipse in Northeast Ohio
- Yes, solar eclipse glasses from 2017 are still safe to use: VERIFY