Residents of Nigeria and several other West African nations are in for a rare celestial treat on Sunday, September 7, as a total lunar eclipse (Blood Moon) illuminates the skies, beginning at 8:00 PM West Africa Time.
The event, expected to last approximately 83 minutes, will transform the Moon into a striking reddish hue, captivating stargazers across the region.
As reported by the National Television Authority on Sunday, scientists stated that the eclipse will be observable across most of Africa.
“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.
While westernmost areas may miss the early penumbral or partial phases due to the Moon rising during totality, the full spectacle will be observable in many parts of Nigeria, offering a safe and awe-inspiring experience for all.
Scientists explain that a total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, with Earth casting its shadow over the lunar surface.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration explained on its website that a lunar eclipse can be total, partial, or penumbral.
The agency predicted that a total eclipse will appear in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia on Sunday.
The Moon’s reddish appearance, often dubbed a “blood moon,” results from sunlight refracting through Earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon recently corroborated by NASA’s observations of temperature variations on the lunar surface during such events.
Unlike solar eclipses, which require specialised eye protection, this lunar event poses no risk to the naked eye.
Nigeria’s remote regions, such as Yobe and Borno, known for their minimal light pollution, are expected to offer the best vantage points.
Punch