Copyright: Kate Russo
It was 25 years ago when Kate Russo saw her very first total solar eclipse.
The Australian psychologist was living in Northern Ireland at the time and had always wanted to witness the spectacle in person.
She was in between her Masters and PhD studies in her 20s when, in 1999, the path of totality happened to cross nearby over the southern coast of France.
Today, Russo will watch her 14th total solar eclipse, this time in Uvalde, Texas. She is one of many eclipse chasers who have arrived in North America in recent days.
Experts estimate that more than a million people from inside and outside North America will travel towards the path of totality.
Many are individuals who have combined their love of astronomy, exploration, science and travel into a mission to see as many eclipses in their lifetime as possible.
Some are driven by their love of space and desire to understand the universe around them. Others, like Ms Russo, pursue the indescribable feeling that comes with seeing a total solar eclipse in person.