KUALA LUMPUR: Several parts of the Klang Valley will experience a "zero shadow day" today following the spring equinox that occurred on March 21.
During an equinox, the sun is perfectly aligned with the earth's equator and objects do not cast a shadow. Equinox happens twice every year, once in March to mark the start of spring, and the second one in September to mark the start of autumn, for the Northern Hemisphere.
According to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will experience the "zero shadow" phenomenon at 1.19pm while Shah Alam will experience it at 1.20pm today.
"The zero shadow day is a consequence of the equinox that happened last Monday (March 21, 2022) when the sun perfectly aligned with the earth's equator. During the equinox, the lengths of the day and night would be 12 hours each, equally.
"However, Malaysia's position is slightly skewed towards the north of Earth's equator, that prevented the country from experiencing a zero shadow day on March 21.
"Nevertheless, Malaysia started experiencing zero shadow day since last Wednesday (March 23) at Serian, Sri Aman and Betong in Sarawak and Kukup in Johor.
"Other cities in the country will witness the phemonenon, with the last two cities being Kudat and Jambongan in Sabah on April 7.
"After April 7, the Sun will gradually move towards countries situated along latitudes in the north, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia," the ministry said in a statement today.
Malaysians who miss the "zero shadow" incident today will have to wait until Sept 14 to witness the phenomenon.
Besides two "zero shadow days" this year, Malaysians should also not miss two other celestial events involving the sun, on May 28 (5.18pm) and July 16 (5.27pm).
On both these days, the sun will align directly over the Kaabah in Makkah, during which, the shadow lines of all vertical objects on Earth will point towards the holiest site of Islam.