Solar eclipse 2024 peaks in NYC! Moon blocks 90% of the sun in Big Apple where crowds gather on skyscrapers to watch rare cosmic phenomenon

The 2024 solar eclipse peaked in New York City, where observers saw nearly 90 percent of the moon's shadow cover the the sun.

Peak coverage occurred at 3.25pm, about 80 minutes after the eclipse started at about ten past 2pm. The event begins anywhere when the edge of the moon touches the edge of the sun.

The eclipse, which reached totality in upstate New York, closer to the Syracuse area, only covered 90 percent of the sun in NYC. Instead of total darkness, the city looked as though it experienced a very cloudy day.

Upstate, where darkness really did descend, thousands gathered with their family and friends Niagara falls, Buffalo, and the areas surrounding the finger lakes to observe the celestial event.

In The Big Apple, hoards also gathered at prime viewing locations including 'The Edge,' which is the observation deck at Hudson Yards.

People gather on 'The Edge' observation deck ahead of a total solar eclipse across North America, in New York City on April 8, 2024

View of a partial solar eclipse seen from Queens, New York City, U.S., April 8, 2024

People assemble to view a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will partially blot out the sun, at Times Square in New York City

Celestial observers take pictures on 'The Edge' observation deck in NYC ahead of Monday afternoon's solar eclipse

The eclipse traveled more than 4,000 miles across North America, as its path of totality began in Texas and made its way through parts of the South, to New York State, and up to Maine and Canada.

It made landfall in Mazatlan, Mexico on Monday morning and moved along a path of 15 states.

In NYC, skies will began darkening around 2.50pm, and were fully brightened again by 4pm.

Though the Big Apple was not in the path of totality, parts of upstate New York experienced total darkness for up to four minutes and 28 seconds.

Monday's eclipse lasted almost twice as long as the great eclipse in 2017. There were also more than twice as many people in the path of totality.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul reported to Niagara Falls State Park ahead of the eclipse on Monday. She previously said the state was prepared to welcome an increased flow of visitors ahead of the event.

More than 1million people visited the Empire State ahead of the celestial event.

'This truly is a once-in-a-generation event, and my administration has been working for 18 months to ensure a safe and enjoyable viewing experience for all. With our world class parks and charming downtowns, I encourage visitors to come for the eclipse, but stay for all that New York has to offer,' she said ahead of Monday.

A woman looks toward the sky as the eclipse begins in NYC

Sophia Moccia, 4, from Queens views a partial solar eclipse with a homemade mask, at New York Hall of Science

New York City will be plunged into 90 percent darkness at 3.25pm

This year's path of totality is 115 miles (185 kilometers) wide and home to nearly 32 million Americans, with an additional 150 million living less than 200 miles from the strip

A big day for the profit model of 'The Edge' at Hudson Yards, where tickets begin at $41

People camp out at Prospect Point hours before the total solar eclipse in Niagara Falls,

Children turn up to watch the eclipse in NASA suits as the space event encourages wide interest across the country

Adrian Plaza, 9, of Queens, tests his eclipse glasses ahead of a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will partially blot out the sun, at New York Hall of Science in Queens borough, New York City 

A total solar eclipse will move across North America and be visible for up to four minutes

The Empire State Building is seen as a man takes a photo from the 'Edge at Hudson Yards' observation deck

New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks to the media at Niagara Falls State Park ahead of a total solar eclipse across North America

Five-year-old Barrette Donohue looks at the sun with his special glasses as he prepares to watch the progress of the total solar eclipse with his family at Verona Beach, N.Y.

In Niagara Falls, photographers lined up early in the morning to snag the best spot to get pictures of the eclipse.

Astrophotographer Stan Honda told CNN photographers of any skill level can capture photos of the eclipse as long as they have a sturdy, steady tripod and a remote shutter release for your camera. 

'With pretty much any kind of camera or any lens, you can get a good picture of the eclipse,' he said. 

'I would just recommend a fairly sturdy tripod, to make your setup pretty steady, and a remote shutter release, because that allows you to take the pictures without jarring or moving the camera too much.'

The next total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Canada and Greenland in 2044.