Coverage of it natural phenomenon, a total Solar Eclipse. That was the response of crowds gathering in the mexican city of mazatlan, who were among the first to witness the moon completely blocking the sun forjust over four minutes. It then moved north. We saw this in dallas. And this was the moment in Niagara Falls. And this was the view from high in the sky these stunning shots from a High Altitude balloon Live Streaming the eclipse 90,000 feet in the air. The team behind the launch is the university of maine, and its part of nasa s nationwide eclipse ballooning project. This was the journey across mexico, into the us, moving north before eventually exciting the continent off the north east coast. Bbc has been following live on the ground from across the country. Will grant in mexico. I think 70 , 80 totality where you were, but you are first on the ground. Give us a sense of what it felt like. It ground. Give us a sense of what it felt like. ,. Ground. Give us a sense of what it felt like. ,. , h, felt like. It is such a special moment felt like. It is such a special moment. As i felt like. It is such a special moment. As i was felt like. It is such a special moment. As i was talking l felt like. It is such a speciall moment. As i was talking on felt like. It is such a special moment. As i was talking on the television, essentially talking to the audience, you could hear in the years everything that was going on here, and at the moment of pure excitement that was a gripping all those people who really were the first. They were the first in the world to see that come through as it made its way north. Here in mexico city, there was around 80 coverage. It got very, very kind of dusk like, as though it was late afternoon. It was about to go down. We got a sense of what it was like, but that real excitement, that was a tragedy for those who are in the full part of it. Then it was so special for them, because so many had travelled specifically to that coastline to a state that is so often associated with violence in mexico are not something as positive and celebrated address. And the cheer went up and that the entire area went dark, for those just over four minutes, and you just get an understanding of speu you just get an understanding of spell of the fact that this is a nation that perhaps always a and looked up at this because putting the hustle and bustle of modern life, does necessarily found the opportunity to do so. So this particular moment, full eclipse, give those people who were lucky enough to be a must pass a chance to do so, to sort of reflector turn to look up as the ancient mayans had so many centuries ago. And it created a system in mexico that was really part of under the stars. There was a sort of poetic, almost romantic, connection to the forefathers. find connection to the forefathers. And ou talked connection to the forefathers. And you talked about that romantic connection, there is also quite an emotional, spiritual reaction that we have been hearing four people, as it made its way across the country there. People talking about feeling small, and their place in the universe. Did you get a sense of that there . That there . Exactly. Mexico is alwa s a that there . Exactly. Mexico is always a destination that there . Exactly. Mexico is always a destination for that there . Exactly. Mexico is| always a destination for people that there . Exactly. Mexico is always a destination for people who seek out the spirituality of this nation, who want to get in touch with the celestial, particularly along that pacific coastline, right down and a beautiful part of the country, where the meyer empire and the meyer connection is still very strong to this day. And of course, on that beach, i think there has been very few moments in recent history that would have been as strong as where you have people perhaps travelling the length and breadth of the country in order to get in touch with that. This is a destination internationally for people who were looking for spiritual answers and feel they might find them from mexico was not connection to Mayan Culture and aztec culture, and i think there is very much like part of that, part of a whole connection to the past. Will, for now, thank you very much. The us last saw a total Solar Eclipse in 2017, but astronomers protecting the next one will not happen until 2045, so those that did get a chance to see today were lucky. Lets talk to nomia iqbal, from texas. You were lucky. The weather held up, you could see it perfectly, couldnt you . I weather held up, you could see it perfectly, couldnt you . Perfectly, couldnt you . Ifeel so so luc. Perfectly, couldnt you . Ifeel so so lucky. Obviously, perfectly, couldnt you . Ifeel so so lucky. Obviously, im perfectly, couldnt you . Ifeel so so lucky. Obviously, im here perfectly, couldnt you . Ifeel so so lucky. Obviously, im here inl perfectly, couldnt you . Ifeel so| so lucky. Obviously, im here in a professional capacity, but what a person in month and everybody here, including me. I have never seen a total Solar Eclipse. We were really nervous this morning because of the weather. So, it was forecast to have clout and rain, weather. So, it was forecast to have cloutand rain, i had my weather. So, it was forecast to have clout and rain, i had my raincoat on this morning and people werejust trying to kind of a change the goalposts in terms of, what is it we want to see . What will make us happy . But the clouds parted and we got to see it in all its glory. And i kept asking people who had seen a total Solar Eclipse before, what is it like . And they should come you cant describe it, and i understand that now. When the funny thing is, before i speak to anybody when rico love, i always say to them, dont swear. Obviously, you cant spare. Coming to me like come in that moment, i was like, dont swear, nomia it was so cool. It was so amazing to watch in that moment. And people here were just so excited. This is a camping site where farmers were here with the children. Honestly, ive never seen anything that has united people, certain here, to the extent that the Solar Eclipse that a few hours ago. You sa it is eclipse that a few hours ago. You say it is really eclipse that a few hours ago. You say it is really hard eclipse that a few hours ago. You say it is really hard to describe it by going to ask you to do exactly that. I was taking by the number of people cheering and stripping. And it sort of touch people on a different level, didnt it . Cheating and whooping. It different level, didnt it . Cheating and whooping. It did. You aet eole cheating and whooping. It did. You get peeple who cheating and whooping. It did. You get people who Cheer Cheating and whooping. It did. You get people who cheer and cheating and whooping. It did. You get people who cheer and clap, get people who cheer and clap, people who are screaming, and only people who are screaming, and only people who are screaming, and only people who sat there, jaw dropping, and just in awe. And i was told that would happen, for sure. And i did see that. You get those that is just the science part of it is just being an awe of our planet. Under lots of people having the sorts of personal reckoning with the universe, and thatis reckoning with the universe, and that is that the murder of her small beer. And for a lot of people, certainly in texas, it is a religious date. It was a religious moment, and one man said this was gods word, the bit was perfectly coordinated, all coming together, it was a real religious moment. In terms of describing, ijust think that moment when it went from day to night, and when the temperature drops, it isjust. You night, and when the temperature drops, it is just. You feel really small all of a sudden. Your place in the bottom i understand what people mean by that. You just seem so insignificant, almost. It left up to all the hype that we have been hearing, and it was a pretty special moment for our team to witness at a total Solar Eclipse. Im moment for our team to witness at a total Solar Eclipse. Total Solar Eclipse. Im interested is welcome total Solar Eclipse. Im interested is welcome in total Solar Eclipse. Im interested is welcome in the total Solar Eclipse. Im interested is welcome in the aftermath, total Solar Eclipse. Im interested i is welcome in the aftermath, there is welcome in the aftermath, there is so much brought up to that moment, and longer the same, four minutes, that you experienced a total eclipse. What is a feeling afterwards, when it suddenly gets light again, do peoplejust returned to normal . The light again, do people ust returned to normal . , light again, do people ust returned to normal . ,. ,. , to normal . The camp is now clearing out, but everyone to normal . The camp is now clearing out, but everyone was to normal . The camp is now clearing out, but everyone wasjust to normal . The camp is now clearing out, but everyone wasjust stood out, but everyone was just stood around for quite some time, for about half an hour, just wanting to talk about it. We are here, obviously, there are other media outlets, peoplejust obviously, there are other media outlets, people just wanting to talk about it, what the experience. The children we spoke to were so so excited, and bear in mind you have got farmers who were here with two children. One woman said to me, are used to have to drag my kids out to family events, i didnt have to do that. There were so excited. But i think what i would say is, i did speak to someone who was a self described Solar Eclipse chasers, it was herfourth self described Solar Eclipse chasers, it was her fourth attempt. She had come from germany, and she said it is addictive. I can see what she means. It is one of those experiences that you want to cheers. And there were a few people here are felt like that, who had seen it for the first time as well. I felt like that, who had seen it for the first time as well. Felt like that, who had seen it for the first time as well. I have got a feelin the first time as well. I have got a feeling you the first time as well. I have got a feeling you might the first time as well. I have got a feeling you might be the first time as well. I have got a feeling you might be picking the first time as well. I have got a | feeling you might be picking hotels and tickets, chasing the next one, nomia. , ~ , and tickets, chasing the next one, nomia. , ~ i. , and tickets, chasing the next one, nomia. , ~. ,. , ~. , nomia. Thank you for talking to us. In 20 nomia. Thank you for talking to us. In 20 years nomia. Thank you for talking to us. In 20 years time nomia. Thank you for talking to us. In 20 years time lets nomia. Thank you for talking to us. In 20 years time lets talk nomia. Thank you for talking to us. In 20 years time lets talk to in 20 years time lets talk to helena humphrey, in 20 years time lets talk to helena humphrey, who in 20 years time lets talk to helena humphrey, who is in 20 years time lets talk to helena humphrey, who is in i in 20 years time lets talk to helena humphrey, who is in a| in 20 years time lets talk to helena humphrey, who is in a van that come outside cleveland. You witness a pretty perfect total Solar Eclipse, and there were fireworks for you. Eclipse, and there were fireworks foryou. People eclipse, and there were fireworks for you. People making the most of that darkness. I for you. People making the most of that darkness. That darkness. I think one of the words to describe that darkness. I think one of the words to describe it, that darkness. I think one of the words to describe it, although, l that darkness. I think one of the i words to describe it, although, as nami said it is difficult to describe, it was like the 4th of july here in the united states. And new years eve all at once, because look at this beautiful setting behind me. We are only 80 here in ohio. That gorgeous water behind me. We had a bright blue sky that then plugs into darkness and then those Fireworks Rights over the water. It couldnt be, i think a more Perfect Moment that we experience. We drove an early because we knew about those trafficjams, and what you saw on the hype of this to people sin, Solar Eclipse, plan for some extra time. We got here prior to early. We were met with a little bit of courage is of course like everybody we will just courage is of course like everybody we willjust keeping your fingers crossed, praying to weather gods, and, boy, did not pay off, because we got that bright blue sky, that perfect Solar Eclipse. Totality. And then, of course, that ring of fire, solar flares as well. It really couldnt have been better. And what you got the sense here of was a sense of history as well in ohio. Beyond the science, and all the things that can be derived from there a day, you just got that connection to forefathers. The last time that we saw a total Solar Eclipse in this part of mikrut it was 18 asserts. Just to give you a sense of what it was like then. In this part of ohio. Just three years to statehood, when many Indigenous People but on the land, more circulars coming over from the east. And one particular man, a warrior chief, had essentially tried to unite native tribes against the settlers in terms of resistance, and at the time, the governor of indiana had they done a chance, and he said, if you really are such a powerful leader, stop the sun in the sky. Alter the course of the men. And he said, i will do that in 50 years. And lo and behold, it Solar Eclipse came to pass, and that really cemented his authority. The Bill Grant In Mexico was talking about going back to the ancient mayans, but here, we have got a sense of that. Just without connection to the past. And this is one of the real that takes from the past and connects us to the future as well. Truly, an inspiring, incredible moment. Truly, an inspiring, incredible moment truly, an inspiring, incredible moment. ~ ,. , truly, an inspiring, incredible moment. ~m,. ,. , moment. Mark asserts, really good to have either talking moment. Mark asserts, really good to have either talking us moment. Mark asserts, really good to have either talking us through moment. Mark asserts, really good to have either talking us through that. I have either talking us through that. It was fascinating to watch as you experienced it in ohio. And then the part of totality moving up towards the border with canada. Our correspondent, nada tawfik was following the action from their guffaws. Here is that moment of totality. Wow, that are spectacular oh, wow that is fabulous you can see it fully now. You can see it now. Mother nature is a truly teasing us today. Earlier, during the partial eclipse, it peaked there, it has there, to speak through again. Nada, e won the there, to speak through again. Nada, Je Won The Award there, to speak through again. Nada, Je Won The Award for there, to speak through again. Nada, Je Won The Award for most Je Won The Award for most enthusiastic corresponding of the day. Congratulations. Youre their life in their guffaws for the snow. And the weather was potentially an issue, but Mother Nature delivered. I think that is what has sounded so short, because we all had a kind of. We were remain cautiously optimistic, but we had almost resigned yourself to the fact that, if it doesnt happen, this is still an absolutely amazing experience. For me and my entire team, it was the first and we had visited Niagara Falls, so then in that moment, despite that very heavy cloud cover, you heard itjust from my excitement but also the crowd went absolutely wild, because the eclipse data peek through. And you were able to catch a view of the coroner. One person mentioned seeing the solar flares and then permit talk about the effect on environment, of course, it gets dark, and the temperature dropped but something i had never experienced before and passed a total eclipse is that i witnessed was just how much the birds reacted. You had dozens and dozens of seagulls. You can see birds occasionally, but you had dozens of seagulls descending over right above the false, just going absolutely crazy. And so the whole spectacle combined Niagara Falls, seeing the songs corona, seeing the birds react and the temperature in the darkness together was just something that really truly does feel like a once in a lifetime experience, and everybody here was just in on that moment. Everybody here was ust in on that moment. ,. ,. ,. , everybody here was ust in on that moment. ,. ,. ,. , moment. One in a loud tone, you are riuht. And moment. One in a loud tone, you are right and being moment. One in a loud tone, you are right. And being able moment. One in a loud tone, you are right. And being able to moment. One in a loud tone, you are right. And being able to be moment. One in a loud tone, you are right. And being able to be there right. And being able to be there and come the stars aligning allow you to be able to see it in that way. What more people telling you about how they felt being able to witness it on someone as beautiful, i guess, is Niagara Falls . I guess, is Niagara Falls . Somewhere i guess, is Niagara Falls . Somewhere as i guess, is Niagara Falls . somewhere as beautiful. People told me some of them planned this over a yearin me some of them planned this over a year in advance, some locals who had planned but the family to come. And every Single Person told me just how much it meant to them to be with friends, to be with family, to take time out of work, out of life, two witnesses together, to celebrate this. And also, just how small the felt in that moment, looking up. And even before that moment of totality, when i was speaking to people about, are you a bit disappointed about the clouds . Not one person said that they were disappointed. They all said that no matter what, this would be an experience they wouldnt forget. They were happy to take the time it. And it truly was a moment of feeling like everybody here was witnessing something together, being together in that moment. And itjust shows you just how beautiful does a small experiences through life. You have to kind of clap them and take hold of them when you can. We will let ou hold of them when you can. We will let you have hold of them when you can. We will let you have a hold of them when you can. We will let you have a lie hold of them when you can. We will let you have a lie down hold of them when you can. We will let you have a lie down after hold of them when you can. We will let you have a lie down after all let you have a lie down after all that excitement. Really good to have you there live in Niagara Falls. Nada tawfik there. We are going to talks more about that. Still to come we will look at some of the signs. Nasa up rockets and planes into that airspace to be able to determine a little bit more, so lets talk some more about that with our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. Such an interesting day, not only in her good looks, julie is beautiful, but it also tells us a lot about it gives us an opportunity to find out things we hadnt before. It gives us an opportunity to find out things we hadnt before. Things we hadnt before. It was a da when things we hadnt before. It was a day when the things we hadnt before. It was a day when the science things we hadnt before. It was a day when the science and things we hadnt before. It was a day when the science and beauty things we hadnt before. It was a day when the science and beauty met and just how beautiful was it. One of the things i always find amazing about total eclipses is that it is an incredible cosmic coincidence, because the Big Money Shot as the atmosphere that we can see of the sun which is normal out of view because the sun is so bright, and thatis because the sun is so bright, and that is only because the moon is exactly the right size to block off the criteria was that when what we see is that atmosphere. And that is the thing that scientists had been studying in more detail. You can see the shimmering movement of a talk and it was particularly interesting this time around, because the solar activity was attitude to peak at that moment, so you were able to see the expansive stretch out further, you were able to see what look like tiny little peaks, if you can see it on that picture. They look like tiny peaks, but actually, they were huge nuclear explosions, some of which are about the size of the earth. You can see all this information, which scientists have been gathering and studying, because what happens on the sun affects the climate and the weather on earth. find the sun affects the climate and the weather on earth. Weather on earth. And it is so interesting weather on earth. And it is so interesting that weather on earth. And it is so interesting that people weather on earth. And it is so interesting that people are i weather on earth. And it is so interesting that people are talking about the reaction may be in animals, and looking at how animals will respond to that the sudden change in temperature and light. Im also quite fascinated in how humans behave during this. We saw some of the quipping but science will look at all the signs. We saw some of the whooping. It at all the signs. We saw some of the whooping the whooping. It is such a Strange Phenomena the whooping. It is such a Strange Phenomena. Someone the whooping. It is such a Strange Phenomena. Someone who the whooping. It is such a Strange Phenomena. Someone who had i the whooping. It is such a strange i phenomena. Someone who had seen a couple of eclipses myself, it never ceases to amaze me that there is this notjust about ceases to amaze me that there is this not just about the science, ceases to amaze me that there is this notjust about the science, it is almost primeval, the fact that something so constant as the sun suddenly switches off, and in its place is just something so beautiful, this Gigantic Shimmering Black Pearl in the sky. In an instant, you are sent into a dreamlike state. You heard the whooping and the cheating. It wasnt just because they were amazed at this outcome it was having an effect on them. Something transcendental, it was called. And so it is an impact that will live with you forever. ,. ,. , impact that will live with you forever. ,. , impact that will live with you forever. ,. , forever. Really good to have you with us. Pallab forever. Really good to have you with us. Pallab ghosh forever. Really good to have you with us. Pallab ghosh there. I with us. Pallab ghosh there. Continued coverage coming up. Welcome back. Weve been watching the total Solar Eclipse which has been stretching across parts of north america. Lets talk about what scientists may be able to learn from what has happened. What was the biggest revelation for you . What will you be looking at in these images to discover that is made possible by this eclipse . {line made possible by this eclipse . One ofthe made possible by this eclipse . One of the most made possible by this eclipse . Que of the most impressive things is when you get to see the outer corona. That gets completely annihilated by the brightness of the photosphere in other words, so you can only see that by blocking out the sun. Telescopes can do that mechanically, and putting something in the bay, but we are seeing it here in nature, supporting them in getting a bit and allowing us to see that atmosphere. You getting a bit and allowing us to see that atmosphere. Getting a bit and allowing us to see that atmosphere. You were talking to me about the that atmosphere. You were talking to me about the blobs, that atmosphere. You were talking to me about the blobs, forgive that atmosphere. You were talking to me about the blobs, forgive my i that atmosphere. You were talking to me about the blobs, forgive my lack. Me about the blobs, forgive my lack of a scientific description, and thats a really important because those of the picture cant study into much detail. Its those of the picture cant study into much detail. Those of the picture cant study into much detail. Its not right . When the into much detail. Its not right . When the meant into much detail. Its not right . When the meant roots into much detail. Its not right . When the meant roots in i into much detail. Its not right . When the meant roots in front l into much detail. Its not right . I when the meant roots in front on blocks out most of the sphere, we are able to see at the limb, those enormous elasticised nuclear explosions. So, the sun is constantly active, and in fact at the moment, even for the sun, it is pretty active. We are seeing multiple examples of this little. Is a little, the other about the size of the earth, and can be larger. Size of the earth, and can be iaruer. , size of the earth, and can be iarer. , larger. You will be looking specifically larger. You will be looking specifically at larger. You will be looking specifically at the larger. You will be looking specifically at the sky, i larger. You will be looking specifically at the sky, notj larger. You will be looking i specifically at the sky, not really the implications for us on earth. But we talked about the weather and all that. One of the tricks is what nasais all that. One of the tricks is what nasa is doing is to get above the clouds, flying up rockets, and they will be looking at some of the implications for Different Things changes in temperatures, atmospheric pressure. The changes in temperatures, atmospheric ressure. , changes in temperatures, atmospheric ressure. ,. ,. , pressure. The sun is not separate from us, pressure. The sun is not separate from us. It pressure. The sun is not separate from us. It is pressure. The sun is not separate from us, it is connected. Pressure. The sun is not separate from us, it is connected. They i from us, it is connected. They produce a space weather, it is constantly streaming charged particles. It charges up the atmosphere. But it does affect the upper atmosphere as well. Thus it is very interested in the ionosphere, and that is really quite high up indeedin and that is really quite high up indeed in the atmosphere, and they have been launching flights, essentially, with equipment on board to monitor changes. You can also make some monitoring on the ground, and it has been mentioned before that Ham Radio Enthusiasts during the eclipse at monitoring the signal strength. Bouncing things off the ionosphere during the eclipse, they want to see what happens before, during and after the eclipse and seeing how that changes, basically. Thank you so much for being with us. I know were going to talk some more. It has been so great to have you here talking us through what we have been witnessing tonight. And retort talked then about being able to get above the clouds to get a clear shot, this was the view from high in the sky. We have been showing you those stunning shots here, from a High Altitude balloon that has been streaming the eclipse. As you can pretty much see from the heights of those images, it is 90,000 feet in the air. The team behind that lunch of dublin is a university of maine. It is part of nasas nationwide eclipse ballooning project. That gives us a clue. This is a live shot right now. We have been witnessing that path of totality across the states in the united states. We will talk some more about it in the next half hour. Stay with us on bbc. Hello. Monday brought us a bit of mix of weather types. While some of us had some spells of warm spring sunshine, other areas were stuck under the cloud and rain all day. Its been a really wet first week of april and that unsettled theme continues for the next few days. So more blustery spells of rain at times and its turning a little bit cooler than it has been, too. So weve got low pressure driving our weather at the moment here it is. Its gradually easing its way eastwards through the rest of the evening, overnight and over the next 24 hours or so, itll bring us some more wet and windy weather. Some thunderstorms initially for the far south of east anglia. They clear northwards and then the bulk of the rain through tonight will be northern ireland, scotland, perhaps western parts of england and wales. Across scotland, in fact, we could see some flooding by dawn because that Rain Is Falling on very saturated ground. Its not going to be a cold night, 6 9 degrees, but it is going to be windy for many of us, particularly down towards the south west of england, through the english channel, through the North Channel as well. More of this rain for tuesday lingering for scotland, parts of Northern England in particular as well, followed by sunshine and a few blustery showers from the west. Driest for parts of Southern England through the day, but gusts of wind 45 Miles Per Hour or so inland, but stronger than that, gales around some of the coastal regions. And weve got really high tides with a full moon at the moment, so we could be seeing some coastal flooding as well. Top temperatures 8 12 on tuesday, so cooler than recent days, especially so when you add on the wind chill. So the blue colours, the colder air mass with us for a time through the middle part of the week. But later on wednesday, the next warm front moves in from the atlantic, bringing some warmer air and some rain, too. Could be an early frost in the east, i think, on wednesday. But the cloud increases, the rain moves its way in and the winds are going to be picking up through the day as well. So another unsettled day, more fairly unwelcome rain for some of us heaviest in the north west. Temperatures about 10 15 for most of us so just starting to edge up, certainly, compared to tuesday. And then weve got this lingering front. Were heading into thursday now, i dont think therell be too much rain on that, but theres likely to be quite a lot of low cloud, mist and murk around some Southern Hills and coasts, for instance, first thing on thursday. Brighter skies from the word go towards the north. And i think through the day the sunshine should tend to break up that cloud. So a bit of a drier, brighter sort of day for many of us and a touch warmer. Were looking at highs in norwich, in london, up to about 19 degrees or so. 20 celsius possible in the south for friday and saturday. Then things turn cooler and more unsettled into next week. Hello, im christian fraser. Youre watching the context on bbc news. Qatar Foreign Ministry has told the bbc its cautiously optimistic about a new proposal in the Gaza Ceasefire talks as israel and hamas continue the negotiations in cairo. Lets turn to the middle east now where were hearing reports that hamas has rejected the latest israeli ceasefire proposal suggested at talks in cairo. There had been fresh proposals on the table at the talks in egypt aimed at securing a truce and a hostage deal. Its now been six months since hamas designated a Terrorist Organisation by many western countries aimed at securing a truce and a hostage deal. Its now been six months since hamas designated a Terrorist Organisation by many western countries attacked israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Lets take a look at these pictures displaying what the city was like before and after the severe bombardment of gaza since october seventh. In the war that has followed the seventh october attacks, gazas Hamas Run Health Ministry says more than 33 thousand people have been killed there. Much of the city is now in ruins as palestinians have onlyjust started to return to the devestated city of khan younis, after israel said it was reducing the numbers of soldiers in the area. An Israeli Government spokesperson says the reduction in Troop Numbers was not an indication of a pause