The Great American Eclipse 2017 | Some Of The Best Eclipse Shots From Around Instagram

So the moment has come and gone like a thief in the night, and just like that the 2017 total solar eclipse is over. News of it and conversation about it has been unescapable for weeks; travel spiked in areas that would view it complete; Chris Hadfield (everyone’s favorite astronaut) waxed romantic about the event on live TV, and sales of eclipse glasses were through the roof, with some last-minuters on social saying they were harder to get hold of than ‘Yeezys’ – whatever that means…

[REWIND: INSTAGRAM NOW HAS THREADED COMMENTS | FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS THIS MEANS COMMENTING IS AUTOTELIC]

But while the sun and moon meandered through the summer sky across a striped section of the continental US, many of us photographers either couldn’t be out there shooting it but wanted to be, or frankly just wanted to enjoy it knowing full well there would be a firehose of incredible imagery of the eclipse coming regardless. And in that vein, for those who either couldn’t see it live, chose not to, or chose to live the moment than re-live it through your pictures, we’ve collected some of the best eclipse images and videos from around Instagram to satiate, satisfy, amaze and awe inspire. Check it out and show the clever creatives some love. #Eclipse2017

*We’d be remiss not to mention that of the thousands of noteworthy images of the eclipse that will circulate, it is these first two shots, by Andrew Studer and Ronan Donovan respectively, that truly stand apart. They are, without a doubt, absolutely astonishing feats of vision and execution.

To the ends of the earth…. MASSIVE thanks to @thistommysmith @tedhesser and @martinatib for the preproduction on this shot and climbing expertise! Would have been absolutely impossible without them. This is a single photo, no photoshop.

A post shared by Andrew Studer (@andrew.studer) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:22pm PDT

While millions experienced #Eclipse2017, only six people saw the umbra, or moon’s shadow, over the United States from space today. #nasa #sun #eclipse #international #space #station #moon #solareclipse #solar

A post shared by International Space Station (@iss) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:35pm PDT

Solar flares are only visible during a total solar eclipse. Just as the Moon begins to totally cover up the sun, gigantic flares called solar prominences become visible, arcing out from the edge of the Moon. These solar flares are coming off the sun’s surface and loop for millions of miles into space. They can only be seen on the ground during the moments near totality. What an awesome spectacle to behold. #eclipse #solareclipse #solareclipse2017 #wyoming

A post shared by Ronan Donovan (@ronan_donovan) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:46pm PDT

#thegreatamericaneclipse #eclipse #eclipse2017 #canon

A post shared by Chelsea Schnyer (@healthychelsea_wy) on Aug 21, 2017 at 2:22pm PDT

Eclipsalypse 2017 Where were you? #mylittles #watchingwithkids #lookslikefilm #loafpresets #theycomeinpeace #lifestylephotography #idahoeclipse #darksideofthemoon #endoftheworld

A post shared by Krista (@5and5photography) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:07pm PDT

Who watched? What a moment! By @robstrok who says, If I’m honest, I wasn’t that excited for the solar eclipse, but I bought an 85$ lens and decided to shoot it for fun. The experience its self was incredible, I’m so happy I decided to go out watch it. It’s funny how a 85$ lens was able to give me a usable image so I thought I’d throw it up for a few hours, I hope some of you were able to experience the amazing phenomenon as well :) ??

A post shared by BEST VACATIONS (@bestvacations) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:48pm PDT

Photograph by @babaktafreshi | This photo is one of the first glimpses of #eclipse2017 captured by National Geographic photographer Babak Tafreshi in a jet above the Pacific at the moment the eclipse began. Babak is aboard the flight along with two @Airbnb guests who won the chance to be among the first to witness the solar eclipse before it crosses the US. – We are high above the clouds with @airbnb bringing you some of the first glimpses of the Solar Eclipse. Follow us all day as we bring you incredible moments and stories from our experts #livefrom the air.

A post shared by National Geographic (@natgeo) on Aug 21, 2017 at 11:55am PDT

Who was able to catch the #eclipse today? It was truly a sight to behold… ??? (Regram: @alexstrohl) #outdoorliving

A post shared by House Beautiful (@housebeautiful) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:44pm PDT

photo by @chamiltonjames / Charlie Hamilton James – family and friends watch as the solar eclipse almost reaches totality just south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming this morning. The experience was incredible – as the moon moved across the path of the sun the light began to drop and with it the temperature. At totality the sky was almost dark and there was a distinct chill. From all around on the hilltops and in the valleys people were cheering. It was all over in around 2 minutes but for the hundreds of thousands of people that have travelled across the world and throughout the US i’m sure it was well worth the journey.

A post shared by National Geographic (@natgeo) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:48pm PDT

The solar eclipse, as seen from an airplane flying above Oregon. (?: Alaska Airlines) #solareclipse #solareclipse2017

A post shared by CNN (@cnn) on Aug 21, 2017 at 11:56am PDT

The many phases of the solar eclipse. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) #solareclipse #solareclipse2017

A post shared by CNN (@cnn) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:04pm PDT

The amazing moment of total solar eclipse. This is the 'diamond ring' captured by @nasa. It was the first total solar eclipse to cross the US from coast to coast in almost a century. #solareclipse #eclipse #moon #sun

A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:11pm PDT