Mazatlán, a picturesque city located along the Pacific Ocean in Mexico, is abuzz with excitement as it gears up to witness the first total solar eclipse of the year today. Being the first place where the celestial event is visible, Mazatlán has become a magnet for astronomy enthusiasts, scientists, and families eager to experience this rare phenomenon.

The enthusiasm surrounding the eclipse has reached such heights that even Mexico's President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has graced the occasion with his presence. Mazatlán has drawn visitors from all corners of the world, including NASA, which has chosen the city as a venue for a watch party and live stream of the event.

Tourists and locals alike have been captivated by the preparations taking place in this small beach city. Stalls along the seafront have been distributing "Eclipse Solar Sinaloa 2024" glasses to eager spectators. The atmosphere is full of joy and celebration, with bands playing on the beach and tourists flocking to the promenade.

Accommodation has become a precious commodity in Mazatlán, as hotels and Airbnbs are now commanding premium prices. Many tourists are opting to rent boats to gain a unique vantage point to witness the eclipse from the open ocean.

Roberta Saraco, an 11-year-old resident of Mazatlán, eagerly awaits the eclipse with her family in a local park, brimming with excitement. For her mother, Tania Cerrillo, this day holds special significance, as she recalls witnessing a partial eclipse 33 years ago, an experience that left an indelible imprint on her memory.

Such is the significance of today's eclipse in Mazatlán that schools have closed for the day and many parents, like Cerrillo, have taken time off work to fully immerse themselves in this extraordinary event.

Meanwhile, for David Esquivel, a college professor and member of the Mazatlán Astronomy Society, today promises to be an exceptionally busy day. He has been warmly welcoming scientists from NASA and avid eclipse chasers from Finland, England, and Canada who have journeyed to Mazatlán to witness this celestial spectacle.

As the hours count down to the moment when the moon will completely obscure the sun, Mazatlán is a city united by a shared sense of anticipation and awe. People of all ages and backgrounds have come together to witness this extraordinary moment in history.

For those lucky enough to be in Mazatlán today, they will have the privilege of being the first to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon as the total solar eclipse emerges over the Pacific Ocean.