Bengaluru witnesses ‘Zero Shadow Day’ today; check details about this unique astronomical event

Bengaluru, the technology hub of India, is all set to experience a rare celestial event of ‘Zero Shadow Day’ on Friday, August 18. The occurrence which usually takes place twice a year was earlier observed in Bengaluru on April 25 and now the city residents are gearing up for the same second time. On this day, students and astronomy enthusiasts are seen standing outside to witness this rare astronomical phenomenon.  

The captivating occurrence will take place at 12:24 PM, during which the sun will remain directly overhead, and thus no shadows will be seen on the earth’s surface.

What is a Zero Shadow Day?

Zero Shadow Day is a rare celestial event that takes place twice a year in places between +23.5 and -23.5 degrees latitude. During this period, for people living in the areas falling with the mentioned latitudes, the sun’s declination will be equal to their latitude - once during Uttarayan and once during Dakshinayan, stated the Astronomical Society of India.

While the sun is almost never exactly overhead at noon on normal days, on a Zero Shadow Day, it remains exactly overhead at noon and will not cast a shadow on an object or a person on the ground. Notably, the reason behind this is that the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, due to which there is a reduction in the length of the shadow that makes it invisible.

Notably, the astronomical event has a major significance as it provides an opportunity to teach people about the Earth’s axial tilt, its orbit around the Sun, and also about the Sun’s changing angles throughout the year.

Zero Shadow Day in India

Notably, this is not the first time when the phenomenon is being observed in India. Earlier, cities like Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Bhubaneswar have also witnessed this unusual celestial occurrence.

Bengaluru also saw Zero Shadow Day in April this year during which the sun was at its zenith and so the shadow was directly under the object.

As the event occurs in locations between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, Bengaluru witnesses Zero Shadow Day as it is located at latitude of 13 degrees north.