The world is chock full of rare and interesting occurrences. The latest in this series is this particular phenomenon known as Zero Shadow Day. This celestial phenomenon is super rare and can only be observed in Mumbai twice a year. Today was the first time in the year that it could’ve been observed. During this phenomenon, the sun is directly overhead which makes the length of the shadow so small, it looks like there isn’t any shadow at all!
Zero Shadow Day: Pictures Go Viral On The Internet
Yesterday, #Mumbai observed a ZERO SHADOW DAY
– when Sun is at 90° angle to the Earth’s surface
– shadow completely disappears for few minutes
– occurs twice in a year for places between +23.5° & -23.5° latitude
– Pic – a group playing cricket at Shivaji Park having no shadows. pic.twitter.com/vBxp8QNCuI— Jitin Yadav (@Jitin_IAS) May 16, 2019
People throughout the city have taken pictures of the phenomenon and have posted them on the Internet. It is interesting to see pictures of objects and people without shadows. The position of the sun makes it so that it looks like nothing has a shadow and we’re suddenly transported to a shadowless world.
However, the shadows are there, it’s just that they are so small, it seems that they aren’t there. The next Zero Shadow Day is said to be on the 28th of July. However, the month of July is usually fraught with rain or cloudy weather because of monsoons. So it may be a bit difficult to observe this phenomenon then.
Also Read: Chef Sarah Todd is In Love With Mumbai Street-Style Bhutta; Shares the Corn Recipe Online!
Science Behind Phenomenon
Zero Shadow Day #ZSD in Mumbai. It’s a phenomenon which occurs only twice a year. For Mumbai, the days are 15th May and 28th July. July is normally rainy hence 15th May is best for observation. pic.twitter.com/8rl20mC8vb
— जय भवानी जय शिवाजी 🇮🇳 (@MaheshGNaik) May 15, 2023
According to the Astronomical Society Of India, the sun’s declination will be equal to the latitude of people living in +23.5 and -23.5 degrees latitude twice. One is during Uttarayan and the other during Dakshinayan, according to an article by NDTV.
The sun is exactly at 90 degrees angle with the earth’s surface. Hence, there are no elongated shadows that are cast. This makes it seem like there isn’t a shadow. This is not the only interesting phenomenon. The longest day of the year is said to be on the 21st of June.
Since this is not an everyday occurrence, people were pretty excited to observe this particular phenomenon. It does seem pretty freaky to see objects under the sun without a shadow but it really is a sight to behold.
Also Read: Mumbai’s Sea-Link & Coastal Road Project Will Be Connected Via A Bow-String Bridge After Protests
Did you get a chance to observe this phenomenon? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image Credits: @Jitin_Ias/Twitter