The online eclipse experience: People on X get creative, political and possibly blind

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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The 2024 total eclipse is caused by a rare alignment in celestial spheres that will send millions of people in the path of totality outside to peer at the sky.

People have booked their Airbnbs years in advance, eclipse glasses are selling out and forecasters have been warning of cloudy skies for weeks.

Regardless of how otherworldly this event is and how much planning people have dedicated to experiencing it in person, the internet is being the internet and providing an eclipse experience of its own.

GIFs, quips and skits are flooding social media platforms like X on Monday.

Here are some of the best social media reactions to the eclipse:

Solar eclipse 2024 live updates: See latest weather forecast, what time it hits your area

Forgot your eclipse glasses? So did the internet

Proper eye safety is recommended for looking at the sun during an eclipse, and several places like Warby Parker and public libraries have been giving them away for free.

But some poor souls didn't secure their pair in advance, and the internet knows it:

"I don’t have eclipse glasses and I don’t trust myself not to look at the sun," one user posted on X.

"During the eclipse, it’s important not to stare at the Sun directly, as it will take this as a provocation. Look away to the sides to indicate clearly that you are not a threat to the Sun. Do NOT run away; this will activate the Sun’s predation instinct, and then God help us all," another posted.

Viral moment: Looking back (but not directly at) Donald Trump's 2017 solar eclipse moment

Some people are making their own eclipses

*flips iPad around*

Of course, it's getting political

Several supporters of former President Donald Trump have also made their own footage showing Trump eclipsing President Joe Biden, indicating their hope for the 2024 presidential election.

"Biggest Event of 2024," wrote one user, with a picture of Trump "eclipsing" Biden attached.

But many people are reminiscing about the 2017 eclipse, when Trump seemingly looked up at the sky without glasses.

Biden joined in poking fun at him in a post saying, "don't be silly, folks – play it safe and wear protective eyewear," a presumed nod to Trump's viral moment.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, Natalie Alund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Eclipse memes, jokes, reactions: The internet is ready for totality