A total solar eclipse has begun across North America, expected to last up to nearly five minutes in certain spots.
Millions of residents across Mexico, the United States and Canada are craning their heads toward the sky to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon.
The eclipse's path of totality stretched from Mazatlán, Mexico to Newfoundland, an area that crosses 15 US states and is home to 44 million people.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters observed the solar eclipse following his speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
'A once in a lifetime thing'
Residents and emergency services alike prepared for the "once in a lifetime" event. (Source: Breakfast)
Constable Philip Gavin from Niagara Regional Police Services spoke to Breakfast about the preparations heading into the celestial event, with the region deemed one of the best locations to view it from.
"We did expect a lot of people, the numbers aren't quite what we initially planned but we're seeing upwards of 30,000 - 40,000 and certainly seeing the crowd grow," he said.
"We're about 30km away from Buffalo, so we have little times where the sun is trying to push through but we're facing a lot of clouds too."
Previously the Niagra region declared a state of emergency to prepare for an influx of people.
"The regional Government made the decision for the Niagra region specifically," he said.
Gavin said visitors and emergency services alike would be looking skyward when the time came.
"I think everyone is going to try and take some moments around the peak time to take it all in," he said.
Revelers were engulfed in darkness at state parks, on city rooftops and in small towns.
The US last got a taste in 2017, and won't again see a coast-to-coast spectacle until 2045.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press
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