A Facebook user, Onogwu Adah James, made a post claiming that Nigeria will witness a historic total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, which will turn day into night and won’t be seen again for 375 years.
The claim has been circulated amidst news of a total solar eclipse expected to occur on April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse is indeed a celestial event where the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, causing a temporary darkening of the sky.
This event is significant due to the rare visibility of the Sun’s corona and the dramatic change in daylight.
To verify the claim, the Explainer referred to the US National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), which provides authoritative information on astronomical events. NASA has confirmed that a total solar eclipse will occur on the specified date, but its path will cross North America, specifically over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Further investigation into local sources by the Explainer fact checker, reveals that the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria has also addressed similar claims. NASRDA’s Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Mr. Felix Ale, clarified that the eclipse would not be visible in Africa, as it will occur during the night when the continent faces away from the sun.
The Explainer found that no credible news outlets in Nigeria have reported any expectations of the eclipse being visible in the country.
The Explainer fact checker search results corroborate the statements from NASA and NASRDA.
According to [Time and Date], the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse will not be visible in Lagos, Nigeria, nor in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The website provides detailed visibility maps and times for eclipses, confirming that the upcoming total solar eclipse will not be observable from Nigeria.
Verification: False
Conclusion:
The claim that Nigeria will experience a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is false. The eclipse will indeed occur, but it will be visible only in certain parts of North America and not in Nigeria or any part of Africa.
