Thursday, September 01, 2016
This handout file photo provided by NASA and taken on May 20, 2012 shows sun spots seen as the moon moves into a full eclipse position. A partial solar eclipse will be seen in Nairobi Friday lasting almost four hours. AFP PHOTO
A partial solar eclipse will be seen in Nairobi on September 1 lasting almost four hours.
It will last from 10am until 1.38am and will be strongest at 11.47am.The partial annular eclipse will be visible within a radius of 270km from Nairobi.
An annular eclipse covers part of the sun and only happens when it is a new moon, or the moon is at or near its lunar node. It can also occur when the sun, moon and earth are perfectly aligned in a straight line or when the moon is farthest from the sun.
The eclipse will be best seen if the skies are clear. It has been rather cloudy lately. It is dangerous to view the eclipse with naked eyes.
The sun’s ultra violate radiation can burn the retinas leading to permanent damage or blindness.The last total solar eclipse in Kenya was in 2013 in Turkana.
The event lasted an entire 15 seconds, throwing the area into partial darkness. The event attracted scientists and people in solar eclipse, including America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration.