On the nights of May 15 and 16, one of the rarest cosmological events will take place; a total eclipse of the moon. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of Africa, Europe, and North and South America, save for parts closer to the poles and eastern Africa.
Experts have estimated that the spectacle will be visible to over 2.7 billion people and assured enthusiasts that, unlike a solar eclipse which requires special viewing precautions to prevent eye damage, a lunar eclipse could be watched safely with the naked eye, although telescopes and/or binoculars might be needed for a clearer viewing experience.
The eclipse is expected to last a total of 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 58 seconds and the shadow of the earth striking its surface will cause the moon to turn blood red for that duration. The last blood event happened on the 26th of May last year and had a very short life span, lasting less than 16 minutes in total. It was also only visible in the Western and Central portions of North America. Nigerians can expect to witness the eclipse starting from 2.32 am on the 16th of May.
