A rare astronomical spectacle will unfold across Nigeria and other African countries tonight as the continent prepares for a total lunar eclipse.
The eclipse is expected to start around 8:00 pm West Africa Time and will last for about one hour and 23 minutes, during which the Moon will appear in a reddish shade.
The Nigerian Television Authority reported that the eclipse would be visible in several African nations.
“Countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe will experience the eclipse, though the westernmost areas may miss parts of the early penumbral or partial phases due to the Moon rising closer to or during totality,” the network reported on Sunday.
On its website, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) noted that the phenomenon occurs when the Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow over the lunar surface.
NASA also confirmed that the eclipse will be seen across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The striking “blood moon” effect, scientists explained, is the result of sunlight bending through the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface. NASA has linked this to temperature fluctuations observed during previous eclipses.
Unlike solar eclipses, experts stressed that no protective glasses are needed to watch the lunar event. Northern parts of Nigeria, especially Yobe and Borno states, are tipped as the best viewing spots due to reduced light pollution.
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