Bengaluru to observe Zero Shadow Day today: What does it mean?

Bengaluru is all set to witness a unique celestial phenomenon called 'Zero Shadow Day' on Tuesday. It is said that all the vertical objects in the city will not have a shadow for a short period of time. According to reports, the event will take place at 12:17 p.m.

In view of this, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has organised events at its Kormagala campus to mark this occasion.

Taking to micro-blogging Twitter, the IIA wrote,''Come celebrate Zero Shadow Day #ZSD at our Koramangala campus on April 25 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Sun will be directly overhead at 12:17.''

It is said that the sun will perch exactly overhead in Bengaluru, streaming all objects with its light. Due to this rare twice-a-year verticality, vertical objects will stop casting a shadow on the ground, making things outside look incredibly bizarre-like a glitch in the matrix.

In 2021, Odisha's Bhubaneswar witnessed a 'Zero Shadow Day'.

So, what is Zero Shadow Day?

Zero Shadow Day is a phenomenon that occurs twice a year in some parts of the world when the sun is directly overhead and casts no shadow at all. This happens in locations that are located along the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn on specific days of the year, typically around the time of the summer and winter solstices.

On these days, the sun is positioned directly over the equator, resulting in no shadows being cast. The zero shadow phenomenon occurs when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, which happens twice a year on the days of the solstices.

During the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st, zero shadow day is observed in regions located on the Tropic of Cancer, which is located at 23.5 degrees north of the equator. Similarly, during the winter solstice, which occurs around December 21st, zero shadow day is observed in regions located on the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located at 23.5 degrees south of the equator.

The zero shadow phenomenon has been used to measure the circumference of the Earth and the tilt of its axis, as well as for various cultural and religious purposes. It is also a fascinating natural phenomenon that attracts visitors from all over the world to witness it firsthand.