Solar eclipse begins in America as moon blocks out the sun over Texas with millions gathering to catch a glimpse of the rare phenomenon

The moon has started to cover up the sun as a partial eclipse begins in parts of Texas and Mexico.

The Mexican beachside resort town of Mazatlan was the first major viewing spot in North America. 

A partial eclipse became visible in Mazatlan around 10:35 AM local time, and is expected to become a total eclipse visible for up to four minutes around 11:07 AM, according to NASA.

Thousands of people gathered along the coastal promenade, setting themselves up in deck chairs with eclipse glasses as an orchestra played the 'Star Wars' theme. 

In Kerrville, Texas the first partial eclipse became visible in the United States around 12:59 PM local time and is said to become a total eclipse around 1:32 PM.

Thousands have packed towns along the total solar eclipse 'path of totality' where the moon will completely block the sun, starting in Mexico and moving through Texas where it will travel up to New England and finish in Canada.

In any one location along the path of totality, people will see a partial eclipse followed by the total eclipse, and then a partial eclipse again.

Although newly announced forecasts for Monday are ominous, suggesting thunderstorms and cloud coverage that could limit visibility, deep-pocketed thrill-seekers are undiscouraged. 

ECLIPSE TIMELINE

The Lone Star State will be the first state to see the celestial event around 1:27 PM ET, then Oklahoma is next at around 1:45pm CT, followed by Arkansas at 1:51pm ET and Missouri about five minutes after.

Illinois is next in line along the path of totality, with Carbondale experiencing the solar eclipse at around 1:59pm CT and Paducah, Kentucky about one minute later.

And Evansville, Indiana at 2:02CT and then Ohio is expected to witness it at around 3:13pm ET.

State officials have estimated that up to 556,000 people will be visiting the Buckeye state.

Erie, Pennsylvania is next, with the solar eclipse set for 3:16pm ET, followed by Buffalo, New York at around 3:18pm ET.

The path will continue up north, reaching Burlington, Vermont at 3:26pm ET, Lancaster, New Hampshire at 3:27pm ET and Caribou, Maine at 3:32pm ET.

WEATHER FORECAST 

Tourists who traveled thousands of miles to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse in Dallas - what was meant to offer the best view - are racing elsewhere as storm clouds gather over the Lone Star state. 

Although Texas has one of the best geographical positions to view the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, clouds started to roll in around 9 AM local time as severe storms are expected Monday night. 

Forecasters in Forth Worth explained the morning cloud cover would start to break up around noon, allowing many to enjoy the spectacle in the sky.

The National Weather service forecasts that Northern New England will the best location for clear viewing of the total solar eclipse Monday afternoon.

Forecasters said Southern Texas will have an increase of cloud coverage prior to the arrival of the solar eclipse.

Other locations in between are said to have a fair chance of cloud covers at various levels, although locations across Arkansas to the Midwest could see breaks in the clouds or high thin clouds during the time of totality. 

NASA's Eclipse Soundscapes Project will use thousands of volunteers throughout the U.S. to help collect data form Monday's celestial sensation. 

Nearly, 2,500 people have signed up to fill out written multisensory reports on animal behaviors and human reactions throughout the event.

PHOTOGRAPHY 

In Niagara Falls, photographers lined up early in the morning to snag the best spot to get pictures of the eclipse.

Astrophotographer Stan Honda told CNN photographers of any skill level can capture photos of the eclipse as long as they have a sturdy, steady tripod and a remote shutter release for your camera. 

'With pretty much any kind of camera or any lens, you can get a good picture of the eclipse,' he said. 'I would just recommend a fairly sturdy tripod, to make your setup pretty steady, and a remote shutter release, because that allows you to take the pictures without jarring or moving the camera too much.' 

'A safe solar filter really is a necessity for the partial phases, and the American Astronomical Society has a whole section on its website about solar eclipse glasses and filters that they approve as being safe to use.'