Dakshin Kannada, Udupi to experience zero shadow phenomenon

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The zero shadow phenomenon can be observed by residents of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Monday. In Dakshina Kannada, it will occur at precisely 12.28 pm, while in Udupi, it will occur at 12.29 pm on Tuesday.

According to Atul Bhat, an assistant professor in the physics department at Poornaprajna College in Udupi, this natural occurrence can be witnessed without any special equipment or instruments. During the zero shadow moment, the sun is positioned directly overhead, resulting in the absence of shadows from sunlight at a specific time of day.

This is an intriguing display of astronomical mechanics and is likely to attract the attention of those interested in celestial events. Atul mentioned that Zero Shadow Days occur twice annually, in the months of April-May and August, and the probability of observing them is greater in April, which is a summer month, compared to August, which is a monsoon season.

On Zero Shadow Days, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, causing the length of the shadow to reduce significantly. As a result, when the sun is directly above us, it casts a shadow directly below us, and our own shadow becomes invisible, hence the term "Zero Shadow".

Atul Bhat explained that this phenomenon is due to the Earth's tilt at an angle of 23.5 degrees, which causes the sun's position to change throughout the year as the Earth orbits around it. For those residing between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, the sun appears directly overhead twice a year, resulting in the occurrence of Zero Shadow Days.

This happens because the sun is in line with the observer, making the shadow disappear. Atul also mentioned that residents of Bengaluru can experience their Zero Shadow moment at 12:18 pm on April 24. On May 11, the zero shadow day can be observed at Bidar, which is the northern tip of the state.

The Poornaprajna Amateur Astronomers' Club plans to encourage people to witness and appreciate this astronomical phenomenon. To this end, the Poornaprajna College in Udupi will organise a demonstration that is open to the public, starting at 12:15 pm on April 25.