Several countries have already witnessed Zero Shadow Day; what about the UAE? – information

It happens twice a year when the sun is directly overhead and there are no shadows cast by anything on the ground

The UAE will not witness zero shadow days in Dubai this year, although it will experience minimal shade in June.

Different parts of the world, such as the US and parts of India, have recently experienced Zero Shadow Day, and other parts of the world, such as Ecuador, Singapore and Muscat, are about to celebrate the day.

Zero Shadow Days are a twice-yearly phenomenon during which the sun is directly overhead and there are no shadows cast by objects on the ground. It’s a rare celestial event that only occurs in certain places and at certain times of the year.

Last year, the Southern UAE regions of Umm Al Zamoul, Liwa, Madinat Zayed and Al Quaa witnessed Zero Shadow Day from 6 June to 7 July. This astronomical event highlights Earth’s position relative to the Sun and provides insight into the complex interplay of light and shadow on our planet.

Sarath Raj, Director of the Dubai Friendship University Satellite Ground Station and AmiSat Project at Dubai Friendship University, said: “Zero Shadow Day also offers photography enthusiasts a unique opportunity to capture stunning images of objects without shadows. A related phenomenon is called a “double shadow day,” which occurs when the sun is directly overhead at two different times of the day, causing objects to cast two shadows in opposite directions.

“Dubai will not have a zero shadow day in 2023. However, Dubai will have the least shadow at 12:20 on the summer solstice on June 21 at 24.454° latitude and 54.377° longitude. objects cast the least amount of shadows. The distance from the equator to this location is about 2797.74 kilometers, while the distance from the Tropic of Cancer is about -196.31 kilometers.”

Hasan Al Hariri, CEO of Dubai Astronomy Group, said: “Zero Shadow Days occur at various points between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricornus, during the solstices in June and December. During the solstice, Zero Shadow Day occurs in the northern hemisphere, while during the December solstice, it occurs in the southern hemisphere.

“A solstice occurs because the Earth’s axis is tilted relative to its orbit around the sun. During a solstice, the hemisphere tilted toward the sun receives the most direct sunlight, resulting in longer days and shorter nights. The hemisphere tilted away from the sun receives the most direct sunlight. Direct sunlight is minimal, resulting in shorter days and longer nights.

“Zero-shadow days occur at latitudes where the sun’s declination is equal to the angle between the latitude and the equator, and last only a few minutes at each location. During the vernal equinox, when the sun’s declination is 0°, zero-shadow days occur at the equator.

“The Tropic of Cancer is at 23.5 degrees north latitude, and the equivalent line of latitude south of the equator is called the Tropic of Capricorn. The position of the sun moves from 23.5°N to 23.5°S at the Earth’s equator and back. All latitudes for the day are equal to the angle between the position of the sun and the equator Everywhere in the world experiences zero-shadow days, when shadows appear beneath objects at local noon. Astronomers also use this phenomenon to calibrate time,” added Hariri.