The much-awaited total solar eclipse in the United States was first witnessed in Oregon on Monday.

The moon made its first contact with the sun in Oregon just after noon Eastern Time, marking the beginning of the total solar eclipse which will travel across the United States on Monday. The eclipse will end at 3 pm local time (12.30 am IST) in South Carolina. The last time an eclipse had travelled across the entire United States was in 1918, reported The New York Times.

The Science Channel in Madras, Oregon, was broadcasting the event live. A number of campers were reported to have gathered at the Madras Municipal Airport to catch a glimpse of the eclipse. Madras is being considered as one of the prime areas to watch the eclipse, as the moon will completely cover the sun.

Earlier, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration had said it will provide “images captured before, during, and after the eclipse by 11 spacecraft, at least three NASA aircraft, more than 50 high-altitude balloons, and the astronauts aboard the International Space Station” all around the world.

“Over the course of 100 minutes, 14 states across the United States will experience more than two minutes of darkness in the middle of the day,” said NASA on its website. “Additionally, a partial eclipse will be seen from all of North America.”