By now, your timeline is probably full of images of people peering through darkened glasses towards the shadowed sun.

Regardless of whether they were in the direct path of totality, Americans from all walks of life stopped what they were doing for a few minutes Monday and came together to watch (and like, and heart, and tweet) a truly astounding celestial occurrence. In fact, some experts have suggested it was the most-viewed eclipse of all time.

Totality seekers from across the country joined Atlas Obscura for a three-day festival of science and music, far from the crowds and traffic, in the high deserts of Eastern Oregon.

Guests spent the weekend participating in hands-on workshops led by NPR’s Science Friday, learning about the geometry of stars from the “mathmusician” Vi Hart, and lounging in the beachside Elysian Fields beer garden amid scientists, musicians, photographers, and YouTube celebrities including Michael Stevens of VSauce.

On Monday morning, after a closing presentation from The Atlantic’s Ross Andersen, guests turned their backs to the stage, and waited for the main show.

At exactly 10:26 a.m. PST, the sun went dark. While the dusty horizon stayed glowing, the sky turned a blueish, violet hue, that was neither like sunset or daybreak. The audience collectively gasped as they lowered their viewing glasses and stared directly into the totality. Everywhere there was a feeling of palpable, anxious, euphoria—a sense that maybe, just maybe, the universe would freeze, and the sky would stay like this forever.

But, as with all dawns, the sun stubbornly returned. As its brilliance shone through once again, the legendary galactic jazz band Sun Ra Arkestra, lead by 93-year-old Marshall Allen, took to the stage. Their horn section cut through the air with ecstatic screeches, and guests spun around, dancing in the returning rays of sunshine.

Atlas Obscura transformed a cow field in remote Durkee, OR into glowing festival grounds.
Atlas Obscura transformed a cow field in remote Durkee, OR into glowing festival grounds. Kelly O

VIP accommodations offered a peaceful retreat from the high desert heat.
VIP accommodations offered a peaceful retreat from the high desert heat. Kelly O

Science Friday's Christopher Intagliata gave a sunset presentation on what he called a "relatively" important eclipse.
Science Friday’s Christopher Intagliata gave a sunset presentation on what he called a “relatively” important eclipse. Kelly O

Even after the sun went down, guests had an opportunity to glow.
Even after the sun went down, guests had an opportunity to glow. Kelly O

Elizabeth Hart, bassist in Psychic Ills, played a dreamy late-night set.
Elizabeth Hart, bassist in Psychic Ills, played a dreamy late-night set. Kelly O

Helado Negro and his "tinsel mammals."
Helado Negro and his “tinsel mammals.” Kelly O

A nighttime photo class with National Parks at Night.
A nighttime photo class with National Parks at Night. Kelly O

A festival attendee sports a limited edition Total Eclipse patch.
A festival attendee sports a limited edition Total Eclipse patch. Kelly O

Staff served Space Dust IPA in the Elysian Fields beer garden
Staff served Space Dust IPA in the Elysian Fields beer garden Kelly O

The Science Friday team explained how the moon got its craters with some dayglow teaching aids.
The Science Friday team explained how the moon got its craters with some dayglow teaching aids. Kelly O

Vi Hart, in a hands-on star tutorial.
Vi Hart, in a hands-on star tutorial. James Sprankle

Two and four-legged guests shared audience space in the hay bale amphitheater.
Two and four-legged guests shared audience space in the hay bale amphitheater. Kelly O

A quiet moment captured in the Elysian Fields beer garden.
A quiet moment captured in the Elysian Fields beer garden. Kelly O.
Elysian Brewing cofounder Joe Bisacca surveys the beachside beer garden.
Elysian Brewing cofounder Joe Bisacca surveys the beachside beer garden. Kelly O

A couple cools off before the day's main event.
A couple cools off before the day’s main event. James Sprankle

Astrophysicist Summer Ash offered a "Brief History of Sunshine" in a lunar shirt.
Astrophysicist Summer Ash offered a “Brief History of Sunshine” in a lunar shirt. Kelly O.
Ross Anderson talked ancient gods moments before the sky began to darken.
Ross Anderson talked ancient gods moments before the sky began to darken. Kelly O
Attendees gaze at the Eclipse through Atlas Obscura eyewear.
Attendees gaze at the Eclipse through Atlas Obscura eyewear. James Sprankle
The eclipse reaches totality.
The eclipse reaches totality. James Sprankle
Eclipse-watchers look at the sun while the Sun Ra Arkestra plays behind them.
Eclipse-watchers look at the sun while the Sun Ra Arkestra plays behind them. James Sprankle
A reveler dances to the Sun Ra Arkestra as the Eclipse comes to an end.
A reveler dances to the Sun Ra Arkestra as the Eclipse comes to an end. James Sprankle

Marshall Allen, legendary bandleader, and a gaggle of galactic sungazers.
Marshall Allen, legendary bandleader, and a gaggle of galactic sungazers. James Sprankle

For more photos of our Total Eclipse event, check out #AtlasTotalEclipse, and for all our eclipse-related coverage, head here.

A very special thanks to all of our guests and presenters for contributing to a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and to Elysian Brewing for making the whole festival possible. Without them, we never could have dreamed up a place where the scientific and creative communities could come together in such an inspiring collision of wondrous energy. The world is a marvelous, knowable place, and, with the help of partners like Elysian Brewing, we look forward to bringing you more moments that celebrate its radiance.

Eclipse Madness
Presented by Elysian Brewing