Solar eclipse visible in Rwanda

An unfolding partial eclipse of the sun can currently be viewed in Rwanda with a better view expected in the coming hours. The partial solar eclipse is underway as the moon moves between the sun and earth, with its path blocking a large part of the sun, casting a shadow on the earth.

Thursday, September 01, 2016
People in Kigali can currently view the unfolding partial solar eclipse, that's expected to last hours. / Courtesy

An unfolding partial eclipse of the sun can currently be viewed in Rwanda with a better view expected in the coming hours.

The partial solar eclipse is underway as the moon moves between the sun and earth, with its path blocking a large part of the sun, casting a shadow on the earth.  

The eclipse, which first became visible at around 8:50a.m local time, has been gradually casting a shadow on the earth causing the sun’s brightness to decrease.  

The eclipse was expected to occur for about 3 hours and 37 minutes until 12:22p.m.

Kigali residents are using innovative ways to view the eclipse, including traditional ways such as looking at the sun’s reflection in a basin of water, while others are turning their phones off to use their screens to view the spectacle.

However, experts have warned people against looking into the sun with their naked eyes directly or to using improvised means such as smoked glasses, colour film, sun glasses and polarising filters as they are not safe and could have their sight significantly affected by sun rays.

The eclipse is also visible across central Africa, Middle East and some other parts of the world.

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