Students stand under the sun casting negligible shadows on the ‘Zero Shadow Day’ at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, in Bengaluru. (PTI file photo)
This occurrence is unique to places located in the same latitudes as Bengaluru in India and will take place between 12:17 pm and 12:23 pm on April 24
In Bengaluru, residents are gearing up for a rare celestial treat on Wednesday as their shadows will vanish for a brief moment during a phenomenon known as ‘Zero Shadow Day.’
This occurrence is unique to places located in the same latitudes as Bengaluru in India and will take place between 12:17 pm and 12:23 pm on April 24.
Bengaluru, positioned at a latitude of 13.0 degrees north, experiences this phenomenon twice a year, typically around April 24/25 and August 18. It’s usually observed around the equinoxes in March and September each year.
What is Zero Shadow Day?
Zero Shadow Day is an astronomical event where the Sun is directly overhead at solar noon, resulting from Earth’s axial tilt of about 23.5 degrees and its orbit around the Sun.
This phenomenon is most pronounced in locations near the equator, where the Sun passes directly overhead during the equinoxes. It occurs twice a year in areas situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
When does it typically occur?
Zero Shadow Day occurs biannually in regions between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. According to the Astronomical Society of India (ASI), it usually happens when the Sun reaches its zenith point, with dates varying based on specific locations and latitudes.
This event holds cultural and educational significance, often celebrated as a unique astronomical occurrence. It serves as an opportunity to educate people about Earth’s axial tilt, its orbit around the Sun, and the changing angles of sunlight throughout the year.
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