Observe Zero Shadow at Brahmapur, Odisha.

Zero Shadow phenomenon can be witnessed at Brahmapur on 17^th  May 2022 at around 11.47am.   This is the local noon time at Brahmapur and at this time, you will not be able to observe the shadow of objects kept outside (under the sun).  Keep various cylindrical or conical objects like water bottles, torch lights, sanitizer bottles, dustbin, talcum powder container, rods, pvc pipes etc. in the sun (on your rooftop or ground or field nearby with lots of sunlight) and observe the diminishing shadow length of these objects. Finally at around 11.47 am the shadow will not be visible at all. This is the zero shadow time.

As we know, the (apparent) northward movement of Sun or Uttarayana starts from 22^nd December and the northward movement continues till 21^st June. During this northward movement, on certain days, the sun passes exactly overhead during local noon at some places. At Brahmapur, the sun will be exactly overhead during local noon on 17^th May 2022 at 11.47am and therefore, we can observe the phenomenon of Zero Shadow at this time. For places situated between Tropic of Capricorn and tropic of cancer there will be two zero shadow days during a year (one during Uttarayana and the second one during Dakshiyanayana) for places situated on the tropic of capricorn and Tropic of Cancer there will be only one Zero Shadow Day during a year and for places situated north of Tropic of Cancer or south of Tropic of Capricorn, there will be no Zero Shadow day during a year.

The sun will be exactly overhead and the sunrays will be perpendicular to us, so this is the time of maximum heat. Please protect yourself from extreme heat by wearing caps, goggles and take lots of liquids. Also do not directly look at the sun to find out if it is exactly overhead or not. That is highly dangerous and will surely damage your eyes.

Observe the length of the shadow at 11.00am, 11.30am, 11.47am, 12.10 pm and at 12.30 pm make a comparison of the shadow length for more clarity on the variation of shadow length.

Please involve your friends and relatives, take photographs and share with us.

Happy Zero Shadow experience!!!