Hyd rendered shadowless on Tuesday afternoon

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad observed a Zero Shadow Day on Tuesday, with shadows disappearing due to the sun’s position at its zenith at 12.12 pm on the day. The shadows are present, but are directly below a person and not noticed in the first instance.

Experts attributed this phenomenon to the sun seeming to be directly over the city — or, to put it scientifically, the sun’s declination equalling the latitude of the location —which happens twice a year for the locations between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The latitude of Hyderabad is 17.5850° North.

Students and science enthusiasts thronged to Birla Planetarium, which organised experiments to explain the event. Visitors were directed to form a human chain when the sun was at its zenith, and the ‘lack’ of shadows, which were underfoot, left the participants spellbound.

Buoyed by the public and student participation, the planetarium officials said they are contemplating holding workshops for school students.

K.G. Kumar, director, B.M. Birla Science Centre, said: “Our attempts are to bring more awareness about science amongst people. This event is visible in Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Kothagudem. This basically because of the tilt of the sun. We have come up with experiments to make general public understand.”

Danajaya, the education officer of the science centre, who explained the concepts to students, said: “Many questions posed by students were cleared. This was an occasion to observe the movement of stars.”

He said that the phenomenon will repeat on August 3 and that people can witness it at their residences too.