A total lunar eclipse, expected to turn the Moon red, will be visible across Nigeria and much of Africa on Sunday night.
Residents of Nigeria and other parts of West Africa will witness a rare celestial spectacle on Sunday, September 7, as a total lunar eclipse is set to grace the skies. The eclipse, beginning at 8:00 PM West Africa Time, is expected to last about 83 minutes and will give the Moon a deep reddish glow, popularly known as a “blood moon.”
According to the National Television Authority, the eclipse will be visible across much of Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe. “Countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe will experience the eclipse,” the network reported.
Scientists explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, it is safe to view with the naked eye, with rural areas offering clearer visibility.