A lunar eclipse is presently visible in Nigeria. Slated to last for five hours and eleven minutes, it

started by 1:11 a.m. and will end by 6:22 a.m.

In a statement by its Head Media and Corporate Commissions, Dr. Felix Ale, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) had said that the lunar eclipse would be visible in all the various locations in the country from 1:11 a.m. with total eclipse at 3:47 a.m. and end by 6.22 a.m.

He explained that the agency had no special arrangement for the public to view the astronomical event at the Space Centre in line with its tradition due to the time of occurrence this time around.

Dr. Ale dismissed speculations in some quarters that the lunar eclipse would last for two weeks. He advised Nigerians not to panic, and to go about their normal activities.

Dr. Ale explained that, the eclipse which is also called the blood moon would be observed in some regions around the world. These, he said, include Europe, South/East Asia, Africa, North America, South America, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arabic and the Antarctica.

The lunar eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when the earth comes in-between the sun and the moon, and the earth casts its shadow on the moon, so that the moon appears reddish.

•Photo shows a lunar eclipse.