Solar eclipse 2017: The pictures you have to see

Meanwhile the BBC's James Cook had a front-row seat as he chased the moon's shadow at 40,000ft.

Warnings had been made about eye safety in the build-up to the eclipse, with people told they should not look at the Sun directly with the naked eye, and instead wear special protective eyewear.

Most people appeared to heed this advice, though what some placed over their eyes may not have done much to protect them.

(Image caption : A boy wearing protective eyewear looks at the solar eclipse from a beach in Chilmark, Massachusetts )

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