The sun will align directly with the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Monday (today) at 14:18 Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and 12:18 Saudi Time (AST).
During this moment, the sun will position directly over the Kaaba, causing the structure to lose its shadow briefly.
This celestial phenomenon, known as “zero shadow,” occurs twice a year at the Grand Mosque due to its location between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. During this event, the holy structure temporarily casts no shadow.
The tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the sun to travel 23.5 degrees north and south of the celestial equator. During the equinox, the sun is directly overhead at the equator.
“People can determine the exact direction of the holy Kaaba by placing a wooden stick vertically in the ground; the direction of the Qibla will be the exact opposite of the stick’s shadow,” an astronomer explained.
The sun aligns directly over the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque biannually in May and July due to its location.
This month, the sun’s first direct passage over the Kaaba will occur today at approximately 2:18 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST).
