The National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA has predicted that the eclipse of the sun would be experienced across the country on Thursday, September 1, 2016.
Head of Media and Corporate communications of the Agency, Mr. Felix Ale, made the announcement last week as he stated that the agency would provide special solar filters to the public to watch the expected natural occurrence.
In his announcement, he revealed that NASRDA has put in place a viewing centre at its headquarters in Abuja with proper eclipse viewing apparatus for school children so they could experience the annular eclipse as part of its continuous programmes to enlighten Nigerians and students on matters concerning astronomical environment.
Here are seven things you need to know about this years’ Eclipse of the sun.
– A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon’s apparent diameter is larger than the Sun’s, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness.
– The annular eclipse is expected to occur between 7:15am and 10:03am with slight variations in actual timing across the country.
– the natural occurrence will be high in the southern part of the country particularly in Lagos, where it is expected to have 80 per cent obscurity, while the lowest degree of obscurity will be observed in the northern part of the country, particularly in Sokoto which will be about 45 per cent.
– It is not advisable for anybody to observe eclipse with naked eyes.
– Annular eclipse has no spiritual interpretation but a natural occurrence that can be accurately predicted by science
– the last one on March 29, 2006.
– An earlier total solar eclipse took place in Nigeria and along West African coast on May 20, 1947.
