The first total solar eclipse to sweep across the United States in 99 years prompted many groups of spectators to gather and watch the phenomenon together.

Long Island wasn't in the so-called path of totality, the narrow swath of the U.S. positioned to experience the total eclipse. But a partial eclipse of around 70 percent was visible from the Island, and it was still quite a celestial show.

At the Cradle of Aviation in Garden City, about a thousand people looked skyward for the rare event.

The next eclipse visible in New York state will be in April 2024.