Total solar eclipse 2017: Best photos from around the country

From Oregon to South Carolina, a historic total solar eclipse plunged U.S. cities into complete darkness for a brief moment on Monday.

Photographers within the 70-mile wide path of totality captured the rare and striking celestial phenomenon, as the moon moved between the sun and Earth and completely blocked the solar surface for a couple minutes, casting a dark shadow on our planet.

In areas with clear skies, the sun's outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by glare, appeared as a ring of ethereal white wisps around the moon while it blocked the sun. Bright stars and planets also appeared in the darkened daytime sky.

As the sun reemerged from behind the moon, it created an astonishing "diamond ring" effect.

Here are some of the best photos of Monday's total solar eclipse.