Posted by From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri on
The Federal Government has warned the public against direct viewing at the Sun, should the eclipse forecasted occur.
The Federal Government has warned the public against direct viewing at the Sun, should the eclipse forecasted occur.
According to the government, such direct view may be injurious to the eyes later in life.
The Government's warning is coming amidst fears and anxiety about the expected eclipse.
A statement made available to Sunday Sun, read in part,' I passionately appeal to all Nigerians (if ever they get to see the solar eclipse) not to look at the Sun directly because it may cause eye ailments that may lead to blindness in the long run.
' This is why scientists use a special type of glasses or other devices to view solar eclipses. I therefore strongly advise people to stay in-doors for the period the eclipse is expected to last", the statement said.
It also advised the public against involvement in riots under the guise of the eclipse.
Citing the 2001, eclipse, which led to riot in Borno State, the statement urged the public against such reoccurence.
According to the statement, eclipse occurs when a new moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, which causes the brightness of the Sun to be replaced, momentarily, by the black disk of the Moon. This is expected to take place on March 29, 2006.
The states to be affected include Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Zamfara and Katsina.
According to the statement, a partial eclipse is also to be experienced in the remaining 31 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The statement noted that the eclipse which is expected to start from the North East of Brazil will extend to Europe through Africa will cause total darkness across South Western and North Western Nigeria between 9.15am and 9.45am on March 29, 2006.
It would be recalled that in June 2001, some parts of the world including Nigeria experienced solar eclipse.
The first solar eclipse occurred in Nigeria in 1898. Nigeria also experienced eclipse in 1947 and 1959 respectively.