Today, Sun to Align with the Holy Kaaba in Makkah
In Karachi, the sun is poised to align precisely with the revered Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah today, Monday, at 14:18 Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and 12:18 Saudi time. During this moment, the sun’s disc will be directly positioned over the Kaaba, resulting in the absence of its shadow for a brief period.
This phenomenon, known as “zero shadow,” occurs biannually at the Grand Mosque due to its geographical location between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. As a consequence, the holy structure experiences a period where it casts no shadow.
The Earth’s axial tilt causes the sun to traverse 23.5 degrees north and south of the celestial equator. Consequently, during the equinox, the sun aligns directly overhead places situated on the equator.
Astronomers explain that individuals can accurately determine the direction of the holy Kaaba by erecting a wooden stick vertically in the ground; the Qibla’s direction will be precisely opposite to the shadow cast by the stick.
The alignment of the sun over the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque takes place twice a year, typically in May and July, owing to the mosque’s positioning between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. This month, the sun’s first direct passage over the Kaaba is anticipated to occur today at around 2:18 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).
