An eclipse takes place in one of two ways: when the moon passes between the earth and the sun so that all or part of the sun cannot be seen for a time, or when the earth passes between the moon and the sun so that all or part of the moon cannot be seen. The first case is a solar eclipse or eclipse of the sun. The second is a lunar eclipse or eclipse of the moon.

More than 60 percent of Nigerians are uneducated, and eclipses in some parts of the country in the past have caused chaos in which people have been killed and property destroyed. Some Nigerians believe an eclipse is punishment from the gods for evil doing. Professor Turner Isoun of the Ministery of Science and Technology says this year's eclipse"calls for early preparation. Fortunately, through our scientific analysis, we can predict. So we have at least two months' notice."

The March 29 total eclipse would be the fifth in Nigeria's history, and it is expected to last for 30 minutes＂ 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., according to the official prediction. Nigeria witnessed total eclipses in 1898, 1947, 1959, and 2001.

Five Nigerian states＂ Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina＂ are expected to have a total eclipse, while other parts of the country will experience a partial eclipse.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily)