WATCHOUT AS SOLAR ECLIPSE OCCURS THIS SUNDAY IN NIGERIA

The Director-General of National Biotechnical Development Agency

(NASRDA), Dr Saidu Mohammed, has said the solar eclipse, which will

occur on November 3, will come with mild darkness across the 36 states

of the federation.

The Director-General, who made this known during a press briefing,

last Thursday in Abuja, also advised Nigerians to remain calm, as the

eclipse would not affect satellite communications or air services.

The eclipse, however, will be characterised by a flush of sunlight and

mild darkness during its peak. The agency has, therefore, made

available at its headquarters, sunglasses, which will serve as filters

for the effect of the sun.

Dr Mohammed added that: "It will be like any other day, but its effect

will be felt at its peak. It is recommended you wear sunglasses. There

is no need to panic," he concluded.

Earlier in his presentation, the Director of Centre for Astronomy,

University of Nsukka, Professor Felix Okpara, who outlined the various

times of the eclipse across the nation said, in Abuja, the eclipse

will begin by 1:03p.m. It will be at its maximum by 2.40p.m and it

will end by 4.03p m in the evening. In Lagos, it will begin by

12.50p.m, its maximum level will take place by 2.40 p.m and end by

4.01p.m.

In Ibadan, the eclipse will start by 12.52 p.m, the maximum level will

be witnessed by 2.32 p.m and it will end 4.01 p.m. In Port Harcourt,

the eclipse will begin by 1.03 p.m, its maximum will be experienced by

2.43 p.m and by 4.09 p.m, it will end. In Uyo, the eclipse will begin

by 1.06 p.m, its maximum will be experienced by 2.45 p.m and by 4.10

p.m, it will end.

In Enugu, the eclipse will begin by 1.04 p.m, its maximum will be

experienced by 2.43 p.m and by 4.07 p.m, it will end and in Kano, the

eclipse will begin by 1.07 p.m, its maximum will be experienced by

2.40 p.m and by 4.01 p.m, it will end.

An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical

object/objects is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the

shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and

the viewer as seen from the earth.

Solar eclipse was previously recorded in Nigeria concurrently in 1945,

1959, 2001 and 2006."