Cameron DaSilva for ABC News
The "diamond ring" effect is visible as the Earth's moon passes in front of the sun during a solar eclipse viewed from Madras, Ore., Aug. 21, 2017.
From Oregon to South Carolina, a historic total solar eclipse plunged U.S. cities into complete darkness for a brief moment on Monday.
Photographers within the 70-mile wide path of totality captured the rare and striking celestial phenomenon, as the moon moved between the sun and Earth and completely blocked the solar surface for a couple minutes, casting a dark shadow on our planet.
In areas with clear skies, the sun's outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by glare, appeared as a ring of ethereal white wisps around the moon while it blocked the sun. Bright stars and planets also appeared in the darkened daytime sky.
As the sun reemerged from behind the moon, it created an astonishing "diamond ring" effect.
Total solar eclipse wows crowds across the US
Here are some of the best photos of Monday's total solar eclipse.
Cameron DaSilva for ABC News
The "diamond ring" effect is visible as the Earth's moon passes in front of the sun during a solar eclipse viewed from Madras, Ore., Aug. 21, 2017.
Cameron DaSilva for ABC News
A composite image shows Earth's moon passing in front of the sun during a total solar eclipse viewed from Madras, Ore., Aug. 21, 2017.
Peter DaSilva for ABC News
Sue Wieraba, from Portland, Ore. gets a last looks at the sun the night before the total eclipse in Madras, Ore., Aug. 20, 2017.
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
The "diamond ring effect" is seen during a total solar eclipse as seen from the Lowell Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience on August 21, 2017 in Madras, Oregon.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Donald Trump watches the solar eclipse with first Lady Melania Trump from the Truman Balcony at the White House, Aug. 21, 2017.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via Getty Images
Rain clouds obscure the solar eclipse tracking over Spaceship Earth at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Aug. 21, 2017.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
The Monument of Liberty State is photographed while the solar eclipse is seen over Liberty State Island in New York, Aug. 21, 2017.