Lunar Event En Route to Nigeria: Moon Predicted to Display Crimson Hue

On the evening of Sunday, September 7, sky-gazers in Nigeria and several other African countries will have the opportunity to witness a captivating celestial event – a lunar eclipse. The lunar eclipse prediction for this date and time was provided by the Eclipse Guide 2025-2027 app.

The lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in a straight line, with Earth's shadow covering the lunar surface. During this alignment, the Moon will take on a striking reddish glow, known as a "blood moon." This red appearance is a result of sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere, bending and scattering blue and green light, leaving only the longer wavelengths of red and orange to illuminate the Moon's surface.

The red color of the Moon during the eclipse is a natural process, not an advertisement, as some might assume. This natural process also affects the Moon's temperature during the eclipse. Sunlight bending through Earth's atmosphere heats the Moon, but during the eclipse, this heating is significantly reduced, causing the Moon's temperature to drop.

Areas with less light pollution, such as Yobe and Borno in Nigeria, are likely to provide clearer views of the sky during the eclipse. The total eclipse will be visible in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Countries expected to witness the eclipse include Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

The eclipse will be visible across Nigeria, though some western parts may miss the early stages due to the Moon rising during totality. The total eclipse is expected to last for approximately 83 minutes, offering a prolonged opportunity to observe this celestial phenomenon.

It is important to note that the lunar eclipse event does not pose any danger to the eyes. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be viewed safely without protective glasses. So, grab your telescopes, find a dark sky, and prepare to be amazed by this spectacular "blood moon" lunar eclipse on September 7.