Kolhapur and Sangli students learn about ‘zero shadow’

Kolhapur: Residents of Kolhapur and Sangli districts experienced a celestial phenomenon called a ‘zero shadow' on Wednesday from 12.29pm to 12.30pm.Professor Milind Karanjkar demonstrated to students and fellow professors on behalf of the department of materials science and astronomy at Vivekananda College in Kolhapur, on how their shadows disappeared using various scientific instruments. These instruments included a retort stand, measuring flask, bar magnet, etc.Karanjkar said, "It is said that our shadow never leaves us. But on May 6, from 12.29 pm to 12:30 pm, our shadow disappeared for 50 seconds. This is called the zero shadow. This phenomenon is related to the geographical position of the Earth and the Sun. People living between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn can enjoy this zero shadow twice a year, but people living in the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Equinox can enjoy it only once a year, while people living above the Tropic of Cancer and below the Tropic of Capricorn cannot enjoy any zero shadow days."The professor added that residents would be able to enjoy the zero shadow on August 6, 2026, from 12:39 pm. "This event is not just an astronomical curiosity, but an important experience for the public, students, and science enthusiasts. It provides a direct observational understanding of the movement of the sun, the Earth's axis, and the changing seasons," Karanjkar added.