By Peter Omopo
Residents across Nigeria and several West African countries will witness a rare celestial spectacle tonight, Sunday, September 7, as a total lunar eclipse lights up the night sky.
According to scientists, the eclipse will begin around 8:00 p.m. West Africa Time and last approximately 83 minutes, during which the Moon will take on a deep reddish hue—popularly known as a “blood moon.”
The National Television Authority (NTA) reported that the eclipse will be visible in countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe. However, westernmost areas may miss parts of the early phases since the Moon will rise closer to or during totality.
Experts explain that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, with Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon’s surface. Unlike solar eclipses, tonight’s phenomenon can be viewed safely with the naked eye.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has also confirmed that this total lunar eclipse will be visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The reddish glow, NASA noted, results from sunlight refracting through Earth’s atmosphere.
For the best views in Nigeria, astronomers recommend locations with minimal light pollution such as Yobe and Borno States, where the night skies are typically clearest.
