Some Nigerians, yesterday, relished the occurrence of an
eclipse of the sun as different states across the country witnessed the
incident in different proportions.
While residents in the northern parts of the country,
particularly, Kano, Zamfara and Plateau states witnessed the eclipse, some
parts of the country recorded partial eclipse. Lagos was one of such states.
Delta State reported partial eclipse at about 8.08 am
yesterday in parts of Asaba, the state capital.
In the areas where the eclipse was observed, the moon appeared in the
clouded sky in a ring-like object. It did not, however, arouse curiosity among residents
who were indifferent to the occurrence.
But, a resident, Vincent Okonta, who claimed to have seen
the eclipse, told Daily Sun that it happened in a flash and most people were
not even aware of it.
Some parts of Lagos witnessed the eclipse at about 8:35 am.
Daylight was dimmed slightly, with the rest
of the day cloudy.
It was different stories in the northern part of the
country. In Zamfara State, the eclipse
was reportedly pronounced. In Abuja, as early as 6:00 am, many residents, especially school children trooped
to the Obasanjo Space Centre headquarters of National Space Research and
Development Agency (NASRDA), along the Airport Road, to witness the natural
phenomenon. A brief show of eclipse
happened around 8:45 am, but it did not bring much darkness on the city and its
environs.
NASRDA Director General, Prof Seidu Mohammed said those at
the viewing centre were only able to watch the occurrence for less than five
minutes “because it was covered by cloud.”
He indicated that future eclipse occurrence could be
harnessed for tourism, stressing that such was the case in Indonesia where
total darkness was witnessed for most parts of the day.
However, there were reports of the eclipse in Kano, Plateau
and Sokoto. Zamfara is said to have recorded the highest occurrence as there
was no cloud cover. Jos residents witnessed the eclipse clearly.
Victor Momoh, a student of Federal Government College,
Rubochi, gave his impression of the eclipse thus: “I learnt something about
eclipse. I learnt that before an eclipse can happen, something must come
between the sun and moon. I even learnt that if you look at an eclipse with
naked eyes it has adverse effect.”
In Anambra State, staff and students of the University of
Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), gathered at the field of Christ Church Chapel, to
observe the annular eclipse.
Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Group of the university,
led by Prof. Augustine Ubachukwu, had informed members of the university
community that the eclipse would be partial in the South-East.
Prominent among the observers, who gathered at the location
as early as 7:30 am, were the Registrar, Chris Igbokwe; Deputy
Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Charles Igwe (Administration); Prof. James Ogbonna
(Academic)- and a host of other professors mainly from the Department of
Physics and Astronomy.
Prof Igwe said observing the eclipse was both scientific and
fun while Prof James Ogbonna said the experience was beautiful. He recalled
that in his primary school days, he and other pupils used water in a white
basin to observe eclipse. “Today, technology has made it easier,” he said.
The DVC (Academic) commended the research group for
sensitising the university community and for providing the eclipse shades for
viewers.
Coordinator of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Research
Group, Prof. Ubachukwu said the partial eclipse took full effect around 8:00 am
after which the separation started.
He said it was necessary to inform people about the effect
of the eclipse to avoid the impression that the world was coming to an end.
Annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon covers the sun’s
centre, leaving the sun’s visible outer edges to form a “ring of fire” or
annulus around the moon.
Experts said solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes
between the earth and the sun, lining up with the sun as seen by onlookers on the
earth surface.
“In total eclipse, the moon lines up perfectly with the sun
and blocks out light rays, while in an annular eclipse, the moon does not
completely cover the sun,” experts said.
They warned that it was dangerous to view the partial rays,
as in annular eclipse, with the naked eyes as it could cause damage, and
advised that solar eclipse glasses should be used in observing the image.
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