Nigeria will join several countries across the globe in witnessing a total lunar eclipse on Sunday evening.
The astronomical event occurs when the Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. During this alignment, the moon will be completely covered by Earth’s shadow, taking on a deep red hue, a phenomenon commonly referred to as a “blood moon.”
The total eclipse is expected to last for about 82 minutes and will be visible across Africa, Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe. While countries such as Spain and Norway will only see a partial eclipse, observers in Nigeria will be able to experience the full spectacle from start to finish.
The event will unfold from the early evening into the late hours of Sunday. Other African nations expected to witness the eclipse include Togo, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Ghana, Chad, Niger, and São Tomé and Príncipe. However, the westernmost parts of Africa may miss some of the early phases as the moon rises later.
Unlike a solar eclipse, the lunar eclipse poses no danger to the eyes and can be viewed safely without protective equipment.
According to NASA, the next total lunar eclipse after Sunday’s event will occur on March 3, 2026.
