These Photos Show How Roanoke Caught a Glimpse of the Solar Eclipse

Light flares, left, from the lens of a pair of solar sunglasses while viewing the partial solar eclipse from Sweet Donkey Coffee House on Monday, April 8, 2024, in Roanoke. PHOTO BY SCOTT P. YATES

For a few minutes Monday, Roanoke paused and looked skyward.

A clear view of the solar eclipse was often thwarted by cloud cover. But residents were able to glimpse a phenomenon that won't happen again in these parts for two decades.

While the region remained out of the path of totality, when the moon is completely blocking the sun, Roanoke reached 86 percent coverage, according to NASA.

Photographers Don Petersen and Scott P. Yates were out Monday and captured these scenes of human wonder and celestial splendor.

— The Roanoke Rambler

Jessica Lattuca and son Leif, 3, watch the solar eclipse Monday, April 8 on Mill Mountain among a crowd of people attending a viewing party put on by the city's parks and recreation department. PHOTO BY DON PETERSEN

As seen from the top of Mill Mountain, the solar eclipse achieved 86 percent coverage in Roanoke at about 3:15 p.m. on Monday, April 8. PHOTO BY DON PETERSEN

Dozens of people watch the solar eclipse from Sweet Donkey Coffee House on Monday, April 8, in Roanoke. PHOTO BY SCOTT P. YATES

Mark Hodges with the Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society looks at the eclipse through a refraction telescope on Monday, April 8 in Roanoke. PHOTO BY DON PETERSEN

The partial eclipse could be seen peeking through cloud cover in Roanoke. PHOTO BY SCOTT P. YATES