Update for Dec. 14: The only total solar eclipse of 2020 wowed skywatchers in South America despite overcast skies. Read our full story and see the photos here!
The only total solar eclipse of 2020 took place on Dec. 14, and Twitter users flocked to share their experiences of the event.
Most of those users were forced to enjoy the event indirectly, since the path of totality covered a small strip of land in Argentina and Chile and the coronavirus pandemic has made traveling unsafe. But webcasts abounded to share the spectacle with armchair skywatchers all around the world.
(Reminder: If you're lucky enough to observe a solar eclipse in person, do not look directly at the sun with unprotected eyes unless during the brief moment of totality. Otherwise, use eclipse safety glasses.)
Related: Total solar eclipse 2020: Here's how to watch it online
And of course, the best views still made it to Twitter. Here are some highlights:
Today's total #SolarEclipse was the only total solar #eclipse of the year. Although it was mainly visible from Earth in parts of South America, #GOESEast had a perfect view of the moon's shadow moving across the Earth. pic.twitter.com/AlU0E8eGsWDecember 14, 2020
Interesting moment #Eclipse2020 pic.twitter.com/yPwR95YLB6December 14, 2020
The last total solar eclipse of 2020. And suddenly the world went dark.An amazing show 😍This is how it looked from my home Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷☉🌌Último eclipse total de sol de 2020. Un espectáculo alucinante. Mendoza, Argentina #Eclipse2020#EclipseTotalDeSol pic.twitter.com/oozXKKWRDXDecember 14, 2020
#Eclipse2020 darkness in the day pic.twitter.com/4RKUvfLMI3December 14, 2020
#Eclipse2020 With rain and clouds. 🌧️🌫️Villarrica volcano, Chile. pic.twitter.com/Qq9F1CTyPpDecember 14, 2020
The last total solar eclipse of 2020. And suddenly the world went dark.An amazing show 😍This is how it looked from my home Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷☉🌌Último eclipse total de sol de 2020. Un espectáculo alucinante. Mendoza, Argentina #Eclipse2020#EclipseTotalDeSol pic.twitter.com/oozXKKWRDXDecember 14, 2020
🌚🌞 En estos momentos, niñas y niños en Casa Nacional 🏡 de @SenameMetro disfrutan del #eclipse2020 en una entretenida actividad recreativa con todas las medidas de seguridad 😎🙌@Sename_gobierno pic.twitter.com/CXsNwXN7YyDecember 14, 2020
there's an eclipse happening right now and I want yall to know this is how leaf shadow looks like #Eclipse2020 pic.twitter.com/y5xYoHJVFyDecember 14, 2020
There it is! The shadow of the Moon crossing South America during today's #Eclipse2020. Looks to be a little cloudy but not too bad! pic.twitter.com/BGOXh7xamqDecember 14, 2020
Editor's note: If you happen to safely observe the total solar eclipse of 2020 and would like to share the experience with Space.com for a story or slideshow, send images and comments in to spacephotos@space.com.
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