On Wednesday, May 10th, Vizag experienced a rare astronomical event known as the zero shadow day. During this phenomenon, the Sun’s position is exactly overhead at solar noon, resulting in no shadow being cast by vertical objects such as poles, trees, or buildings.
According to the Astronomical Society of India, the zero shadow day occurs annually twice a year, in places located between +23.5 and -23.5 degrees latitude. This phenomenon is a result of the Earth’s axial tilt, which causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight at different times of the year, leading to the changing of seasons.
While the Sun is almost never directly overhead at noon, during the zero shadow day, it is positioned exactly overhead, resulting in a unique occurrence. Scientists and astronomers study this event to better understand the Earth’s position in the solar system and its effect on the planet’s seasons.