Posted on 03/03/2006 1:59:52 PM PST by reelfoot
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has advised Nigerians not to panic over the total solar eclipse which will take place on March 29.
Agency reports quote NIMET's Director-General, Liwhu Akeh as saying that the advice was necessary to enlighten people about the eclipse, which will be total in five states.
The five states are Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Zamfara and Katsina.
According to the report, Akeh's advice was contained in a statement signed by NIMET spokeswoman, Eva Azinge and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
He said the eclipse, which will start from North-East, Brazil to Europe through Africa, would take place between 9.15 a.m. and 9.45 a.m.
He said that part of the total eclipse that will cause complete darkness would pass through North-Western and South-Western Nigeria as well as some parts of the world.
"The remaining 31 states and the FCT will experience partial eclipse" NIMET boss was quoted as saying.
The country's chief meteorologist said that Nigerians should not therefore be disturbed by the natural occurrence, as there is no known meteorological implication for the eclipse.
However, Akeh said that the solar radiation might transiently drop, but would not be enough to significantly change surface temperature.
"The eclipse will not disturb the weather condition of the day, except the temporary darkness in some locations that will experience it," he said.
On the impact of the solar eclipse, he said that the sun could be viewed safely with the naked eye only during the few brief seconds or minutes of a total solar eclipse.
He further explained that an eclipse of the sun (or solar eclipse) could only occur at new moon when the moon passes between Earth and sun.
"If the moon's shadow happens to fall upon Earth's surface at that time, we see some portion of the sun's disc covered or "eclipsed" by the moon.
According to him, "as a result of this development, the moon's shadow usually misses Earth as it passes above or below our planet at new moon."
"At least twice a year, the geometry lines up just right so that some parts of the moon's shadow falls on Earth's surface and an eclipse of the sun is seen from that region," he added.
He, however, predicted that the next total eclipse of the sun would occur on August 1,2008.
The Tide recalls that Nigeria had previously recorded eclipses in 1898, 1947, 1959 and 2001, with the most recent one igniting a riot in Maiduguri where it occurred.
People who did not understand the phenomenon took to the streets protesting that something bad had happened to them, while others thought that the world had come to an end.
Meanwhile, the FGderal government has set-up a 13-member committee with membership drawn from the Media, to enlighten the citizenry on the solar eclipse.
The committee, which has already commenced work, has as chairman the director of domestic publicity of the Federal Ministry of Information, Mr Henry Angulu.
The Tide learnt that the enlightenment campaign became necessary as the occurrence of the solar eclipse in the past was misconstrued as having been conjured by witches and wizards.
Nigeria? Hey, I just sent some money over there.
Some will panic when they hear the advisory, others when they see the eclipse.
What, the great dragon is coming out of Kilamanjaro to EAT THE SUN and people AREN'T SUPPOSED TO PANIC?
Have these astronomers gone out of their MINDS?
I'm sure that they will notify you about someone stealing your money in the dark of the eclipse, please send more.
-PJ
While I'm sitting here making fun of the Nigerians I remembered another thread about them scamming a noted doctor out of something in the millions. The eclipse may just be party time.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Minister of Nigerian FEMA
Me too. I should make some large money.
There is nothing to worry about. You might, however, want to make sure all of your schoolbuses are in working order and parked on high ground.
Yeah, with all the sweet moolah I expect to make from the Nigerian dealio, I went out and bought a boat.
"It is merely the result of a huge chicken passing in front of the Sun God's torch, and it will pass quickly."
Post of the day. Thanks for the laugh.
A message to Nigerians, from the high priest:
Because of your e-mail scams, in which you have bilked hundreds of people and annoyed millions, the monkey god is going to swallow the sun. If you repent quickly, and promise to stop those stupid e-mails, he will spit it out and you will have light again.
I bought a small yaght. Not sure how to spend the rest of the money I'm anticipating.
From the article: "People who did not understand the phenomenon took to the streets protesting that something bad had happened to them"
Is street protest such a natural practice that even those too primitive to know of eclipses practice it?
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