Saudi Arabia
Sun Aligns Directly Over Kaaba: A Rare Event
In a remarkable celestial event, the sun aligned directly over the Holy Kaaba in Mecca on Tuesday, allowing Muslims worldwide to determine the Qibla—the direction of prayer—with extraordinary accuracy.
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Key Highlights
- Complete Shadow Elimination: At the moment of alignment, shadows vanished entirely in the vicinity of the Kaaba, marking a unique phenomenon.
- Jeddah Astronomy Society Statement: The society noted, “The sky over Mecca witnessed the sun directly aligning with the Kaaba, allowing the Qibla to be precisely determined from any observable location.”
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Understanding the Phenomenon
- Solar Zenith: This event occurs as the sun moves southward from the Tropic of Cancer, crossing Mecca’s latitude at approximately 21.4 degrees North. Known as a Solar Zenith, it typically happens twice a year, around late May and mid-July, due to the Earth’s axial tilt of 23.5 degrees.
- Timing with Dhuhr Prayer: Majed Abu Zahra, President of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, highlighted that the zenith coincides with the Dhuhr prayer in Mecca, adding both scientific and spiritual significance to the alignment.
Practical Implications
- Qibla Verification: This rare event provides Muslims a traditional method to verify the Qibla without modern tools. At the solar zenith, individuals who can see the sun can align their prayers towards Mecca simply by facing it.
Scientific Observations
- Atmospheric Refraction Studies: Astronomers view this alignment as a valuable opportunity to study atmospheric refraction near the zenith point. Observations help improve understanding of how light behaves at steep angles, contributing to insights on solar positioning and atmospheric conditions.
This celestial occurrence not only serves as an important moment for the faithful but also enriches scientific knowledge about our atmosphere and the nature of light.
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