Solar Eclipse 2017: The Internet's best and wackiest reactions to the rare phenomenon
Social media erupted with stunning photos and videos, jokes, and of course, hilarious memes.
Millions of Americans gazed towards the sky on Monday afternoon (21 August) to witness the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in nearly a century as the moon blocked out the sun's rays for a few moments. Likely the most observed and photographed eclipse in history, the rare and spectacular natural phenomenon had social media buzzing with excitement, jokes and, of course, memes.
In one hilarious social media spat, Nasa's verified Twitter account @NASAMoon trolled the space agency's other account @NasaSun by blocking it just as the real moon covered the sun's rays.
"HA HA HA I've blocked the Sun! Make way for the Moon. #SolarEclipse2017", Nasa Moon tweeted along with a screenshot showing that the moon had "blocked" the sun's account.
"Uh EXCUSE me?!? #solareclipse2017," @NASASun swiftly tweeted in response.
After the celestial event, Nasa Moon later tweeted: "Let the Sun shine @NASASun, I unblocked you in the sky and on Twitter :) #SolarEclipse2017".
Thousands of people applauded the "epic" exchange with one person saying: "You have won the entire internet."
As rival companies pounced on the opportunity to share some eclipse-themed posts and puns, thousands of people shared their own stunning photographs and videos, excitement and hilarious jokes surrounding the event as well.
Here are some of the best and funniest reactions to the 2017 solar eclipse:
HA HA HA Iâve blocked the Sun! Make way for the Moon. #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/nZCoqBlSTe
— NASA Moon (@NASAMoon) August 21, 2017
uh, EXCUSE me?!? #solareclipse2017 https://t.co/T1WDs2JEdi
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) August 21, 2017
Did you see #SolarEclipse2017? ððððððððð We did! Keep sending in your pictures and questions by using #Eclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/5RhOz9Fwgx
— NASA (@NASA) August 21, 2017
Gotta love Trump Rawdogging the eclipse pic.twitter.com/925GFZJ5OV
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) August 21, 2017
This is the best #Eclipse gif out there pic.twitter.com/aoph3hbPnk
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 21, 2017
Finally managed to cop a pair of glasses ready for the #eclipse pic.twitter.com/KDgX0UZQOb
— Jon (@MrDalekJD) August 21, 2017
The #Eclipse looks so amazing omg pic.twitter.com/y8AR1Oij2O
— Brian ð²ð½ (@Brianlunnn) August 21, 2017
the solar eclipse pic.twitter.com/Sm4vTwPPGW
— diego (@shadesof666) August 20, 2017
Me trying to peek at the solar eclipse without "special" glassesð pic.twitter.com/TQjBgNwmU0
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) August 21, 2017
it's nice to see the sun finally accept that all-black is the most stylish aesthetic #eclipse
— Daniel Howell (@danielhowell) August 21, 2017
We still doing these #eclipse tweets? No easy buckets!! ððð pic.twitter.com/BUH78eMcTP
— Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) August 22, 2017
What really happens during an eclipse #SolarEclipse2017 #Eclipse https://t.co/sox0PrThQa pic.twitter.com/ZC0n56KooT
— LOLBOOK (@LOLBOOKcom) August 21, 2017
24 fortunate astronauts observed a Great #Eclipse by the much closer Moon. Humans will do it again with the view of #Mars Eclipsing the Sun!
— Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) August 21, 2017
The best part of this #eclipse is everyone standing around outside looking up like aliens are landing
— wikipedia brown (@eveewing) August 21, 2017
At the speed of darkness...watch as #SolarEclipse2017 shadow moves across our beautiful planet at <1 mile/second; as seen from GIII aircraft pic.twitter.com/X8jy10OqJh
— Thomas Zurbuchen (@Dr_ThomasZ) August 22, 2017
the sun: pic.twitter.com/MSkcCOKNBB
— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) August 21, 2017
Remember to wear proper glasses today when viewing the #SolarEclipse. You don't want to get... https://t.co/mNJPZwPIz4
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) August 21, 2017
Then his friend came out and did the same thing. Some days I still love New York.
— Robin Wasserman (@robinwasserman) August 21, 2017
the moon and the sun during the solar eclipse pic.twitter.com/NNyCCXumah
— e (@beyonseh) August 21, 2017
Staring directly into the eclipse pic.twitter.com/uBy5IEbWY0
— "Sarah Schauer" (@SJSchauer) August 21, 2017
The sun & moon are like chasing lovers. Once in a while, they catchup and embrace in a kiss. And the world stares in awe of their #eclipse.
— Jim Kwik (@jimkwik) August 21, 2017
The #eclipse was a success. Even for the doggos ð¶ pic.twitter.com/OSIC0xwPjK
— open for a surprise (@openforsurprise) August 21, 2017
For a short time today, we and our fellow humans all across this nation looked to the sky, and we were all part of the same thing. #Eclipse
— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) August 21, 2017
Even rarer than the #Eclipse was the fact that people on the West Coast finally got to watch something before people on the East Coast did.
— Laura Goldman (@lauragoldman) August 21, 2017
Here's an example of what might happen if someone looks directly at the #eclipse pic.twitter.com/uMT0zdWuUO
— Richard (@richardhtx) August 21, 2017
Wow. Truly, once in a lifetime. #Eclipse pic.twitter.com/4Hv7rhV1Br
— Robert Wing (@RobertAWing) August 21, 2017
Word on the street is if you look directly at the solar #Eclipse you turn into Cyclops from X-men. They just don't want you to be great!
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) August 21, 2017
Eclipse traffic reminds me of the apocalypse. pic.twitter.com/5HL6iE6fOO
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) August 22, 2017
ready #eclipse pic.twitter.com/Wb7ExnuX7m
— Shonduras (@Shonduras) August 21, 2017
"An #eclipse doesn't mean you can moon him Joe"
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) August 21, 2017
"Boss you keep it classy, I'm doing it ass-y" pic.twitter.com/tKIvdyw8hx
Oh cool you saw the eclipse... did you sing Total Eclipse of the Heart with Bonnie Tyler On a cruise ship while the Eclipse happened? pic.twitter.com/nd8bf1uFqI
— J O E J O N A S (@joejonas) August 21, 2017
Millions of people saw #Eclipse2017 but only six people saw the umbra, or the moon's shadow, over the United States from space today. pic.twitter.com/hMgMC5MgRh
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) August 21, 2017
A real image of the Solar Eclipse shot by Coleen Pinski pic.twitter.com/rWO0T0lKkX
— Earth Pics (@ThatsEarth) August 22, 2017
Best solar eclipse: pic.twitter.com/jOBmXo0S4C
— Jimmy Neutron ð (@cib110) August 22, 2017
Is there gonna be another eclipse tomorrow? I want another one
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) August 22, 2017

© Copyright IBTimes 2025. All rights reserved.