Scientists have assured the public that Sunday’s total lunar eclipse, visible across Nigeria and several African countries, poses no risk to viewers and can be safely observed without any protective equipment.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in such a way that Earth’s shadow falls directly across the Moon. Unlike solar eclipses, which require filtered glasses to prevent eye damage, “lunar eclipses can be viewed safely with the naked eye,” the agency noted.

In Nigeria, the event is scheduled to begin around 8:00 p.m. West Africa Time and will last approximately 83 minutes. During this time, the Moon will take on a reddish hue, a result of sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface. NASA added that this scattering effect also influences temperature changes on the Moon during eclipses.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reported that the eclipse will be visible not only in Nigeria but also in Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe. However, parts of the westernmost regions may miss the early phases due to the timing of moonrise.

According to scientists, the reddish appearance—often called a “blood moon”—is one of the most distinctive features of a total lunar eclipse. They emphasize that this transformation is entirely natural and a normal outcome of atmospheric refraction.

Sunday’s eclipse will also be seen in Europe, Asia, and Australia, making it a global event with wide visibility.