• UGI USER
  • Apr 25, 2024
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“BENGALURU EXPERIENCES ZERO SHADOW DAY AS THE SUN ALIGNS OVERHEAD.”

Why in the news?

“Bengaluru experiences Zero Shadow Day as the sun aligns directly overhead, causing shadows to vanish momentarily.”

source:slideshare

Highlights of the Event Occurrence:

  • Bengaluru experienced the phenomenon of Zero Shadow Day on Wednesday.
  • Shadows disappeared between 12.17 p.m. and 12.23 p.m. as the sun aligned directly overhead.
  • Over 60 individuals gathered at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics to conduct hands-on experiments during the event.
  • The institute explained that the Earth’s axial tilt of 23.5 degrees causes the sun’s position to vary, leading to different seasonal changes.
  • Zero Shadow Day occurs when the sun is directly overhead, causing vertical object shadows to disappear.
  • Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Chennai experience this phenomenon on April 24 and August 18 due to their latitude positioning.
What is  Zero Shadow day?

Definition and Occurrence:

  • Zero Shadow Day is when the sun is directly overhead, causing objects’ shadows to disappear.
  • It occurs twice a year in May and July/August between the tropics.

Timing and Duration:

  • The event happens during Uttarayan and Dakshinayan, when the Sun moves northwards and southwards, respectively.
  • Lasts for a brief moment, typically lasting for about a minute to a minute-and-a-half.

Observation and Impact:

  • During Zero Shadow Day, the sun’s rays hit the surface perpendicularly, making shadows vanish.
  • Although it lasts for a short duration, the absence of shadows can be clearly observed, marking a unique celestial phenomenon.