Day without shadow: When does it occur in Mexico, the United States and Spain?

Did you know that there is a specific day when people and objects do not cast any shadows? Twice a year a unique astronomical phenomenon occurs: the Shadowless Day. This event, which occurs on different dates depending on the location, arouses the curiosity and amazement of those who witness it.

To understand this phenomenon, we must go back to the movements of the Land and its inclination with respect to the Sun. Throughout the year, the Sun appears to move across the sky, reaching its highest point to the north on the summer solstice and to the south on the winter solstice.

This displacement, combined with the latitude of the place, generates the zenith passage of the Suna moment in which the star is exactly above our heads.

It is precisely at this moment, when the sunlight They fall perpendicular to the earth’s surface, which occurs on the Day without a Shadow. Vertical objects, such as poles, trees or even people, do not cast any shadows, creating a optical illusion ephemeral but captivating.

When is Shadowless Day in Mexico?

The Day Without a Shadow Mexico It does not have a fixed date, since it depends on the latitude of the place. However, it usually occurs in two different periods:

First half of the year: Between the second half of May and the first half of June.

Second half of the year: Between June and August.

The exact date varies from place to place. For example, in the Mexico CityOr, Shadowless Day usually occurs between May 16 and July 27. In 2024, this phenomenon occurred on May 17 at 1:03 pm (Central Time).

In United States:

– Dates: The Day without a Shadow in USA It happens twice a year, just like in Mexico. However, the dates vary depending on the latitude of the place. In general, it occurs between the end of May and the beginning of July for the northern hemisphere and between the end of November and the beginning of January for the southern hemisphere.

– Cities: Some cities where Shadowless Day can be observed in the United States on June 21 are Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, California and Phoenix, Arizona.

In Spain:

– Dates: As in Mexico and the United States, Shadowless Day in Spain occurs twice a year. The dates vary depending on the latitude of the place. In general, it occurs between the end of May and the beginning of July for the Iberian Peninsula.

– Cities: Some cities where the Shadowless Day can be observed in Spain are Cádiz (June 10); Granada (June 10); Madrid (June 13); Barcelona (June 15); and Valencia (June 16).

It is important to note that these dates are approximate and may vary slightly depending on exact location.

To find out the exact date of Shadowless Day in your area, you can consult various official sources, such as the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE) or the Astronomical Society of Mexico (SAM). These institutions publish annual calendars with specific dates and times for different cities in the country.