Bali Prepares To Experience Rare Shadowless Phenomenon As Earth Moves In Orbit

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The Denpasar Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) has confirmed that Bali will experience the ‘day without shadows’ across a range of locations between 13th and 15th October 2024.

This phenomenon occurs when the sun is directly above the island of Bali, which means that no shadows are formed from upright objects.

In a press statement, Dwi Hartanto, Coordinator of the BBMKG Observation Field, explained, “The weather will feel hotter because the sun’s position is now directly above Bali.”

Witnessing the phenomenon is pretty easy and much safer than trying to observe an eclipse since the day of no shadows is focused on what’s happening on Earth rather than the movement of the sun.

People can use an upright object such as a pencil or a small stick placed on a flat surface. When the culmination occurs, the shadow of the object will disappear because the sun is located directly above the object itself. You can also observe your own shadow disappear if you’re standing in the right spot.

Dwi Hartanto has appealed to the public to protect themselves from direct exposure to sunlight during this phenomenon, considering the temperatures are hotter than usual.

He noted, “People are advised to wear hats or umbrellas when outdoors. Do not look directly at the sun, focus on the shadow of a vertical object that disappears.”

Based on data gathered by the Denpasar Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, the day without shadows will reach the following districts at the following times later this week. 

•  Singaraja: Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 12.05 WITA

•  Amlapura: Monday, October 14, 2024, 12.03 WITA

•  Bangli: Monday, October 14, 2024, 12.04 WITA

•  Negara: Monday, October 14, 2024, 12.07 WITA

•  Denpasar: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 12.04 WITA

•  Klungkung: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 12.04 WITA

•  Gianyar: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 12.04 WITA

•  Mengwi: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 12.05 WITA

•  Tabanan: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 12.05 WITA

The day without shadows is not unique to Indonesia; it occurs in different regions of the world twice a year. The phenomenon is categorized as when the sun is directly overhead when the sun is at its zenith or the solar noon.

The phenomenon occurred in locations between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn and occurs when the sun moves north towards the Tropic of Cancer and again when it moves south towards the Tropic of Capricorn. 

Locations include nations close to the equator, such as Kenya, Ecuador, and Indonesia; cities in India, like Chennai and Bengaluru; and centuries in Central America, like Costa Rica and Panama. Across Indonesia, the phenomenon can be observed from the 8th of September through to the 19th of October.

Some of the best locations to experience the shadowless zenith will be on the beaches or in wide open spaces. The next time the shadowless days can be experienced will be in early March 2025. 

While much of the traditional Balinese calendar, known as the Saka calendar, is informed by the movement of the sun and moon, there are no specific religious, spiritual, or cultural events set for the day of no shadows.

With the Galungan and Kuningan festivals coming to a close this week, the next major Balinese Hindu festival will be Nyepi Laut.

The holy day is observed on the outlying islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan. Like the Nyepi festival in April, Nyepi Laut is a day of silence, reverence, and meditiation.

The festival falls on the 18th of October, 2024, the October full moon.

All those planning to travel to Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan will have to reconsider plans on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of October as there will be no marine tourism activities on the 18th of October, nor any fast boat or ferry crossings.

Those who wish to be in Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan for Nyepi Laut must make the crossing on or before the 17th of October.