The solar eclipse witnessed by McIntosh County wasn’t the total eclipse seen by others in some areas of the nation, but what was seen was totally amazing.

Countless folks paused their daily routines between about 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 8, to put on special glasses to see a phenomenon that won’t recur in these parts until Aug. 22, 2044, when a total eclipse will only be visible in North Dakota and Montana.

According to NASA scientists, the next total solar eclipse with a coast-to-coast path spanning the Lower 48 states will occur on August 12, 2045. Oklahoma will be in that path, as will be California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, with a partial eclipse visible across other states.

That’s a long time to wait for a repeat performance. Youngsters who saw the eclipse this week will be parents or grandparents before the next one.

The courthouse lawn in Eufaula had a crowd gathered for the event.

Kiwanis Park, the Cove and other places around Eufaula had the same scene – awestruck eclipse fans sharing the experience.

At Eufaula High School, students saw a film on the subject and then went outside to watch the phenomenon live.

Elementary school students couldn’t contain their excitement as they laughed and clapped at something that they may one day experience again with their own children in the decades ahead.

Though what they saw was not a total eclipse, it was near perfect with about 98 percent of the sun covered by the moon crossing its path.

While the next total eclipse in the continental U.S. won’t be visible until 2044, passionate fans can see one on Aug. 2, 2027, when it occurs over Egypt’s pyramids, according to scientists.

The closest eclipse visible in the U.S. won’t happen until March 30, 2033, when one will occur mostly visible in Russia but also over Alaska.