Hyderabad Experiences Mesmerizing ‘Zero Shadow Day’ as Sun Reaches Its Zenith

New Delhi (India), May 9, 2023: In a captivating celestial spectacle, Hyderabad witnessed a remarkable phenomenon known as “Zero Shadow Day” on Tuesday at 12:12 p.m. During this extraordinary event, the position of the sun aligns directly overhead, causing objects to cast no shadows. Social media platforms were flooded with videos and pictures as Hyderabad residents marveled at the absence of shadows under the brilliant sunlight.

Zero Shadow Day occurs twice a year when the sun’s declination matches the latitude of a particular location. It is a time when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in shortened shadows. This unique phenomenon creates the illusion of “zero shadow” when individuals stand in their own shadows, rendering them invisible.

The Astronomical Society of India explained that those living between +23.5 and -23.5 degrees latitude experience this captivating occurrence during both Uttarayan and Dakshinayan. At noon on these special days, the sun shines directly overhead, causing no shadows to be cast on the ground.

Renowned astrophysicist Debiprosad Duari further elaborated on the phenomenon, stating that people and objects within the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn momentarily lose their shadows twice a year during the “zero shadow moments.” Although the actual event lasts only a fraction of a second, its enchanting effect can be observed for up to a minute and a half.

Hyderabad residents were captivated by the enchanting spectacle of Zero Shadow Day, basking in the surreal absence of shadows under the noontime sun.