Hyderabad to experience 'Zero Shadow' at 12:23 pm today
Today, on Thursday, August 3, Hyderabad will be treated to a rare celestial spectacle known as "Zero Shadow Day" at 12:23 pm. The city previously witnessed this enchanting event on May 9 earlier this year. This magical occurrence happens twice a year in regions near the equator, particularly between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer.
What happens on Zero Shadow Day?
In this rare and awe-inspiring occurrence, the sun aligns precisely above the Earth's equator, causing objects and living creatures to cast no shadows at all. To witness this magical moment, you need to be in an open space where the sun shines directly overhead. Avoid areas with tall buildings, trees, or other obstructions that could create shadows.
How to observe this celestial event?
Objects and people around you will not cast any shadows. You can place an object on a flat surface, like a ball or a book, and observe how it appears to levitate without a visible shadow. You can move the object around and notice how the lack of shadow affects its appearance. Don't forget to capture the moment by taking photographs or videos.
More experiments you can do
Stand in an open area and observe how your shadow vanishes. Try different movements and see how the absence of a shadow affects your outline. Gather a group of people and arrange yourselves in a circle to form a human sundial. At different times during Zero Shadow Day, each person's shade will point towards the individual who would be at solar noon.
Best place in Hyderabad to watch this event
The B.M. Birla Planetarium is an ideal location for observing the Zero Shadow phenomenon. Its astronomical setup and open space make it a great spot for enthusiasts. In May this year, the planetarium organized an event to showcase this phenomenon. They placed a plate with alphabets on it, and as the Sun moved away from its zenith, the alphabets started to fade away.
The rare phenomenon takes place in selected places after years
In April of this year, Bengaluru, like Hyderabad, witnessed the rare phenomenon of Zero Shadow Day. Bengaluru was shadowless at 12:17 pm on April 25, when all vertical objects cast zero shadows. Similarly, Kolkata witnessed its zero shadow moment on June 5 last year, and in 2022, the city observed its second Zero Shadow Day on July 7.
