No shadows for a second time in Grand Mosque today

Jeddah - 16 July 2011: At 12:27 p.m. on Saturday, the sun will be directly above the Ka'ba during its return from the Tropic of Cancer to the Equator. The sun will cast no shadows in the Grand Mosque.

Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, Head of Jeddah Astronomy Society, said, "This phenomenon can help us determine with great accuracy of the direction of the Qibla for countries located in the sun-lit hemisphere."

The direction of the Qibla will be exactly opposite to the vertical shadow cast in those countries at the time when it is noon in Makkah, he said.

"This is the second, and the last time, the sun becomes vertical over the Ka'ba this year. The first incident took place on May 28, when the sun moved from the Equator to the Tropic of Cancer," Majed said.

Source: Saudi Gazette