‘The Blood Moon’

The Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, Nsukka Nigeria wishes to draw the attention of the general public about the first total lunar eclipse for the year 2022 which will take place globally on the early morning hours of May 16, 2022. As part of public outreach activities scheduled to educate students, researchers and the general public on this rare astronomical phenomenon, the Director/CE of the Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, Dr. Bonaventure I. Okere stated that this first lunar eclipse of the year 2022 will be visible from across all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, as well as in many other countries of Africa, North and South America, Europe and some parts of Asia.

The moon turned blood-red: A stunning photo taken by sky-watcher on June 15, 2011 in Namibia. (Credit: George Tucker)
He went further to state that the lunar eclipses have remained one of the most interesting astronomical events/phenomena for sky-watchers globally over the years. This natural phenomenon according to him occurs when the Earth blocks the Sun's light, which otherwise would have struck and reflect off the moon’s surface. In other words, the moon passes into the umbra/deep shadow of the Earth. When this happens, the short wavelength light from our planet is scattered/absorbed while light of longer wavelength (red colour) is refracted around the edges of the atmosphere, while falling upon the moon's surface, thereby turning the moon reddish in colour (the Blood Moon). However, he went further to affirm that there is no need for Nigerians to panic over this natural phenomenon because there is actually no blood on the moon. Explicitly, he noted that the reddish colour of the moon is as a result of the physical processes that take place within the atmosphere of the moon. These processes is akin to the atmospheric scattering and absorption of different colours (short wavelength) of white light from the Sun with the exception of the red colour (long wavelength) during Sunset in our evening sky (which makes the Sun to appear reddish during sunset in the evening sky).
Again, he further noted that there are three types of lunar eclipse in nature: Total, Partial and Penumbral lunar eclipse. However, the most dramatic of them all is the Total Lunar Eclipse, in which the Earth's shadow completely covers the moon, making the moon to appear bright red in the night sky during the time of totality (maximum eclipse). For ages, total lunar eclipse has inspired awe and/or even creates fear especially whenever the moon turns blood-red during the time of maximum eclipse. This reddish colour of the moon though harmless, terrifies people especially those who has no understanding of what causes it; making some people to erroneously blame one particular god or their fellow human being for these natural phenomenon which is wrongly regarded as a bad omen in some societies.

Quite unlike the Total Solar Eclipse (Eclipse of the Sun) which requires a special glass (solar filter) for its observation, he further noted that we do not need any special eye shield for lunar eclipse observation. By implication, Nigerians can observe this rare astronomical phenomenon from the comfort of their homes at the right time; given favourable weather condition at any particular location. Most importantly, Dr. Okere also noted that this first eclipse of the moon for the year 2022 will begin in Nigeria during the early morning hour of May 16, 2022 at 02:32AM (Nigerian Time) with a Penumbral Eclipse (during which the Earth's penumbra starts touching the Moon's face) and ends with Penumbral Eclipse at 07:50AM (Nigerian Time) with the moon below the horizon (moonset is at about 06:35AM). In all, he further stated that the eclipse will take place over a period of 5hrs:18min (02:32AM – 07:50AM), with maximum eclipse occurring at 05:11AM (moon is closest to the centre of the Earth’s shadow).

Finally, he further maintained that without good/hospitable weather conditions, it will be impossible for Nigerians to observe and appreciate this great gift of nature to mankind within the month of May 2022. In the light of the above, it is important to note that the weather forecast for major cities in Nigeria on the early hours of May 16, 2022 showed that most States in Southern as well as the Middle-belt region of Nigeria will experience scattered cloud and heavy cloud-cover during this period of total lunar eclipse; with most state in North-east and North-western region of Nigeria having very clear and favourable night sky for lunar eclipse observation. Thus, he prayed that the weather will be hospitable at our individual locations for us to perfectly catch a glimpse of this rare astronomical event that nature has to offer on that day.

We will be in the lookout... I hope we do not get disappointed