SAUDI EXPATRIATES

The second perpendicular occurs when the Sun returns from the Tropic of Cancer, heading south to the equator and in the middle of the Meridian, and it becomes elevated 90 degrees around the time of the Dhuhr (afternoon) prayer call in the Makkah Grand Mosque.

- The sun will be perpendicular at 12:26:44 noon local Makkah time. As a result, the shadow of the Kaaba disappears and the shadow of the Meridian becomes zero. Read : Kiswah - the black cloth of Holy Kaaba

- The sun appears to move between the Tropics of Cancer in the north and Capricorn in the south during the Earth's once-yearly rotation around the sun, passing through the equator. This phenomenon is caused by the Earth's rotation axis being inclined at an angle of 23.5 degrees, which is what causes the sun to appear perpendicular to the Kaaba.

- This occurrence occurs twice a year in all regions with latitudes less than 23.5 degrees north or south. These regions are identified by locations on the globe that are limited between the equator and the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. Recommend : Why is the marble flooring of Makkah Grand Mosque is cool even in scorching heat

- One of the most common uses of this astronomical phenomenon is locating the direction of the Qiblah, particularly in regions far from the city of Makkah in Arab and Islamic countries and regions where the sun is above the horizon. When a piece of any kind is installed vertically and its shadow is observed at the moment of perpendicularity, the opposite direction of the shadow extension points directly towards Makkah with an accuracy equivalent to the accuracy of the accuracies of the Qiblah.

- The sun first appeared to be perpendicular to the Holy Kaaba this year during its apparent journey and passage from the equator to the Tropic of Cancer in May. It will then appear to be perpendicular to the Holy Kaaba once more in May 2024. See Also : Meezab - It is the smallest piece of Holy Kaaba, made up of pure gold