A previous sun alignment with the Kaaba is shown in this file picture. The celestial phenomenon called “zero-shadow” happens twice every year. (Courtesy photo)

Astronomers say that the sun will align with the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Wednesday, May 28, at noon.

The disc of the sun will be positioned immediately over the Sacred House, said the Jeddah Astronomical Society on Sunday in statement. On Wednesday, the sun will rise at 5:38 a.m. from the northeast horizon and continues moving until it comes directly overhead on the Kaaba at 12:18 p.m. The Kaaba will lose its shadow for a brief time.

Astronomers said the celestial phenomenon called “zero shadow” occurs twice every year in the Grand Mosque because of its location between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer.
Aside from May 28, the event also happens every July 16th of each year.

Due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis, the sun travels at 23.5 degrees north and south of the celestial equator. The sun falls directly overhead on places lying over the equator during equinox and moves northwards towards the tropic of cancer and then again progresses southward.

The society has advised the public to avoid looking directly at the sun with the bare eye even for a very brief period of time.