FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
Team Herald
Goa observes zero shadow day as the anticipated moment was witnessed on the 01st and 02nd of May. Space enthusiasts, students and locals gathered at Public Astronomical Observatory Goa which is located at the Junta House in Panjim to observe the zero shadow day.
Zero shadow day occurs when the sun's position in the sky is exactly at the zenith, meaning it is directly above a particular latitude. This alignment results in the sun's rays hitting the ground at a perfect 90-degree angle, eliminating any shadow for vertical objects like poles or people standing upright.
These days are equal in length everywhere in the world, but on this particular day, the Zero-Shadow phenomenon is only seen on the Equator. This is experienced by those worldwide who live between 23.5 degrees north and 23.5 degrees south of latitude when the Sun is at noon on their local latitude or meridian. The purpose of Zero Shadow Day is to raise public knowledge of the Earth's orbit and the seasonal variations in sunlight angles.
“Today on this special day we witnessed a beautiful phenomenon called zero shadow or no shadow day in Goa. 21st March the sun is on the equator and if you are on the equator, wherever that place may be, be it Africa or other places you will witness the sun right above your head at noon. On that day, the day and night are distributed equally all around the world which we term as the equinox. After the equinox, the sun slowly ascends towards the Northern Hemisphere as the days go by. As the sun begins its journey towards the north side, at every place the sun rays fall, there Zero shadow day is observed,” said Satish Naik.
