Bengaluru is all set to experience a unique astronomical event known as ‘Zero Shadow Day’ on Wednesday. The phenomenon will occur precisely between 12:17 PM and 12:23 PM, lasting for about six minutes.
During this brief period, the sun will align perfectly overhead, causing vertical objects to cast no shadows.
Zero Shadow Day occurs twice a year in regions situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, where the sun's rays can be perpendicular to the Earth's surface at solar noon.
Bengaluru, located at approximately 13 degrees north latitude, is one of the cities privileged to witness this event.
The zero shadow phenomenon will also be experienced at places in the same latitudes as Bengaluru in India.
According to the Astronomical Society of India (ASI), when the sun is directly at the zenith position, it doesn't cast a shadow on any object.
"For people living between +23.5 and -23.5 degrees latitude, the sun's declination will be equal to their latitude twice - once during Uttarayan and once during Dakshinayan. On these two days, the Sun will be exactly overhead at noon and will not cast a shadow of an object on the ground," explains the ASI on its website.
Zero Shadow Day and timings in different cities
Bengaluru: April 24 and August 18 (Local Noon: 12:17, 12:25) Bhopal: June 13 and June 28 (Local Noon: 12:20, 12:23) Mumbai: May 15 and June 27 (Local Noon: 12:34, 12:45) Kanyakumari: April 10 and September 01 (Local Noon: 12:21, 12:22) Hyderabad: May 09 and August 05 (Local Noon: 12:12, 12:19)