Annular Eclipse To Occur In Nigeria On September 1st -

Tribune

Annular eclipse to occur all over Nigeria Sept 1
AN annular eclipse that will be visible all over the
country, with different degrees of totality, will
occur on Thursday, September 1.
In a press statement, the Head, Media and
Corporate Communications of National Space
Research and Development Agency (NASRDA),
Dr Felix Ale, said the highest degree of obscurity
in Nigeria during this natural occurence would be
in the Southern part of the country, particularly
in Lagos, where it was expected to have 80 per
cent obscurity, while the lowest degree of
obscurity would be about 45 per cent and this
would be observed in the Northern part of the
country, particularly in Sokoto.
The annular eclipse will be observed as a partial
or near total eclipse across the nation, with
Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
expected to be about 60 per cent.
The annular eclipse is expected to occur
between 7.15 a.m. and 10.03 a.m, with slight
variations in actual timing across the country.
In Lagos, the first contact will occur at about
7.15 a.m, while the maximum eclipse will occur
around 8.30 a.m. and will end by 10.03 a.m.
The eclipse is expected to commence in Abuja
around 7.17 a.m, with maximum eclipse to be
recorded at about 8.32 a.m. and the eclipse will
end around 10.00 a.m.
It should be noted that eclipse is not a spiritual
issue, but a natural occurrence that can be
accurately predicted by science. Hence, the
NASRDA has developed the capacity to
accurately make this prediction as part of its
mandates.
The Space Agency has also put in place a
viewing centre at her headquarters in Abuja, with
provision of proper eclipse viewing apparatus for
school children to observe the annular eclipse as
part of its continuous programmes to expose
Nigerians and students to matters concerning
astronomical environment.
While appealing to the general public not to
panic or adduce any mystical interpretations to
this event, it is also necessary to advise that
nobody should observe eclipse with Unclad eyes.
Looking at the solar eclipse with Unclad eyes
can lead to permanent damage to the eyes, as
the obstruction does not reduce the luminosity of
the sun.
Therefore, NASRDA has also concluded
arrangements to provide limited number of
special solar filters to members of the public to
savour the rare natural occurrence in
appreciation of science and nature.
An annular eclipse occurs when the sun and
moon are exactly in line, but the apparent size of
the moon is smaller than that of the sun, hence,
the sun appears as a very bright ring or annulus
surrounding the dark disk of the moon.