Hyderabad is eagerly anticipating the rare celestial spectacle of ‘Zero Shadow Day,’ which is set to occur at 12.23 pm today, Thursday, August 3. The city had already witnessed this intriguing event earlier on May 9 this year. Occurring twice a year, ‘Zero Shadow Day’ is observed in regions situated near the equator, between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer.
The term ‘Zero Shadow Day’ defines itself, as it signifies the moment when no object or creature casts a shadow when the sun aligns directly above the Earth’s equator. This unique phenomenon is reported by Telangana Today.
Residents of Hyderabad can experience ‘Zero Shadow Day’ by simply being present in an open space where the sun is directly overhead. Today at 12.22 pm, observers will witness the shadow of any vertical object nearby completely disappear.
Media reports suggest that the Birla Planetarium in Hyderabad is an ideal location for enthusiasts who wish to observe this captivating event.
In April this year, Bengaluru also witnessed this phenomenon. On April 25, at 12.17 pm, all vertical objects in the city temporarily became shadow-less, offering a captivating sight.
This rare cosmic event takes place in specific locations after several years. To commemorate ‘Zero Shadow Day,’ students and astrophiles located between the two Tropics often erect vertical poles and various objects, even stepping outside to witness this extraordinary occurrence.
Last year, Kolkata experienced its zero shadow moment on June 5, followed by a second ‘Zero Shadow Day’ on July 7, 2022.
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at Bengaluru’s Koramangala marked the occasion by organizing events on its campus in April. During one such event, a plate with alphabets was placed, and as the Sun moved away from its zenith, the letters began to fade away, creating a mesmerizing display.
The zero day is truly a fascinating cosmic event, offering a rare opportunity for individuals to witness this captivating phenomenon and marvel at the wonders of celestial occurrences.
