Weather of Arabia - On Monday, the 19th of Dhu al-Qi’dah 1445 AH , corresponding to May 27 , the sky of Mecca will witness the sun perpendicular to the Holy Kaaba, coinciding with the time of the noon call to prayer in the Grand Mosque at 12:18 pm (9:18 am GMT). This will be the perpendicular The first for the Sun in 2024.
In this context, the President of the Astronomical Society in Jeddah, Engineer Majid Al Zahra, explained that the sun will be at its maximum height at the moment of perpendicularity, about 90 degrees. As a result, the shadow of the Kaaba will completely disappear and the shadows of all objects in Mecca, so that the meridian shadow will become zero, while the meridian shadow will appear. The sun is tilted in the sky of distant regions at that time.
Saudi Arabia | In the video, the curtain of the Kaaba was raised in preparation for Hajj
Weather for 14 days in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"Jeddah Astronomy":
Next Monday, the sky of Mecca will witness the sun perpendicular to the Holy Kaaba coinciding with the time of the noon call to prayer in the Grand Mosque at 12:18 pm, which is the first perpendicular to the sun this year 2024. pic.twitter.com/URdYuPFlqT
- Hashtag Saudi Arabia (@HashKSA) May 25, 2024
He explained that the phenomenon of sun perpendicularity occurs as a result of the location of the Holy Kaaba between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. When the apparent movement of the sun across the sky, the sun is perpendicular to the Kaaba during its move from the equator to the Tropic of Cancer in the month of May, and when it returns south to the equator from the Tropic of Cancer in the month of July. .
He added that regions located at latitudes less than 23.5 degrees north and south witness this phenomenon twice a year, but at different times depending on the latitude of each region. Therefore, the areas confined between the equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are the ones that witness this phenomenon in a distinctive way.
The phenomenon of perpendicularity is considered one of the ancient methods for determining the direction of the Qibla accurately. A piece of wood can be used erected perpendicular to the surface of the earth at the time of perpendicularity, as the opposite direction of the shadow points completely towards the Holy Kaaba, which benefits those living in areas far from Mecca in the Arab countries, and nearby areas. From the Arctic, Africa, Europe, China, Russia, and East Asia.
He pointed out that the phenomenon of the sun's perpendicularity is also used to calculate the circumference of the Earth without the need for modern techniques, using some simple rules in geometry. This ancient method, which dates back more than two thousand years, also proves the sphericity of the Earth.
See also:
Saudi Arabia | Modifying the ritual of the holy sites during Hajj... How?
Sources:
Arabia Weather App
Download the app to receive weather notifications and more..