Residents across Nigeria and several West African nations are set to witness a spectacular total lunar eclipse on Sunday, September 7, beginning at 8:00 PM West Africa Time.
The rare event, expected to last just under an hour and a half, will transform the Moon into a glowing red orb, creating an unforgettable night-sky display for observers across the region.
According to the Nigerian Television Authority, scientific experts have confirmed that the eclipse will be clearly visible in much of Africa.
“Countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe are within the visibility zone,” NTA reported. “However, some western parts may miss the very beginning of the eclipse since the Moon will rise closer to the period of full shadow.”
For most Nigerians, though, the full celestial show will be on display. Experts have reassured the public that the phenomenon is completely safe to watch without any equipment.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow fully across the lunar surface.
The U.S. space agency NASA explains that eclipses can appear in three forms, total, partial, or penumbral.
Sunday’s event, the agency added, will be visible not only in Africa but also in large parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The Moon’s dramatic reddish appearance, popularly known as a “blood moon,” is caused by sunlight filtering and bending through Earth’s atmosphere.
Unlike solar eclipses, which require special protective lenses, lunar eclipses are completely harmless to view with the naked eye.