NIAGARA FALLS, April 9 — Throngs of skywatchers across North America gazed upward at a blackened sun in the midday dusk yesterday, celebrating the first total solar eclipse to darken the continent in seven years with cheers, music, and matrimony.

JOHOR BAHRU, April 20 — About 20 members of the Johor Astronomy Club expressed disappointment at not being able to see for themselves a partial solar eclipse, following an overcast sky, after waiting for almost two hours at Gerbang Mahkota Istana Bukit Serene here today.

CHIAYI, June 22 — A shimmering ring of light flashed into view on Sunday in parts of the eastern hemisphere as the moon drifted across the face of the sun in a rare eclipse on the longest day of the year.