Latest news with #Ramanujam
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Zero shadow day in Bengaluru on April 24; step outside at 12.17pm and see the sun do magic
BENGALURU: Bengaluru will experience the ' zero shadow ' phenomenon at exactly 12.17pm on April 24, when the sun is directly overhead, according to scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science Communication, Public Outreach, and Education (SCOPE) section, explained that during this event, the sun reaches its zenith, causing vertical objects to cast no visible shadows as they fall directly beneath them. All locations in India situated below the Tropic of Cancer—including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mangaluru—experience Zero Shadow Day , according to Ramanujam. In Bengaluru, this phenomenon occurs typically around April 24–25 and again on August 18, he stated. Zero Shadow Day will reach the Tropic of Cancer on June 21, the summer solstice and the end of Uttarayana—the sun's northward journey in the Hindu calendar, Ramanujam added.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru set to witness ‘Zero Shadow Day' on April 24. Here is the timing and full details
On April 24, Bengaluru will experience a fascinating celestial event known as Zero Shadow Day at excatly 12.17 PM. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have confirmed that during this rare moment, the sun will be positioned directly overhead, causing vertical objects to lose their shadows entirely. Also Read - 'Just another road rage, nothing to do with Kannada': Bengaluru Police dispute IAF officer's claim Dr. Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, who leads the Science Communication, Public Outreach, and Education (SCOPE) division at IIA, explained that this phenomenon occurs when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky—referred to as the zenith. As a result, shadows fall directly underneath objects and become invisible to the human eye. Zero Shadow Day isn't unique to Bengaluru. It takes place in all cities located between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, including places like Chennai and Mangaluru. In Bengaluru, this phenomenon typically occurs twice a year—around April 24–25 and again around August 18, said Dr. Ramanujam. Also Read - 'This is what Karnataka has become': Blood on face, IAF officer recounts Bengaluru assault He further noted that the sun's vertical path continues until it hits the Tropic of Cancer, where Zero Shadow Day aligns with the summer solstice on June 21. This also marks the end of Uttarayana, the northward movement of the sun according to the Hindu calendar. Zero Shadow Day happens when the sun is exactly overhead at noon in certain locations. During this brief period, vertical objects like poles or a person standing straight won't cast a visible shadow. It can be observed only in places between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer and occurs twice a year in each location. It's a simple but stunning demonstration of how the Earth's tilt and orbit affect how we see the sun.
Hans India
22-04-2025
- Science
- Hans India
‘Zero shadow' to hit Bengaluru on April 24
Bengaluru: At exactly 12.17 PM on April 24, when the sun is directly overhead, Bengaluru will experience the 'zero shadow' phenomenon, according to scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science Communication, Public Outreach, and Education (SCOPE) section, said that during this event, the sun reaches its zenith, causing vertical objects to cast no visible shadows as they fall directly beneath them. All locations in India situated below the Tropic of Cancer—including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mangaluru—experience Zero Shadow Day, Ramanujam told PTI. In Bengaluru, this occurs typically around April 24–25 and again on August 18, he added. Zero Shadow Day will reach the Tropic of Cancer on June 21, the summer solstice and the end of Uttarayana—the sun's northward journey in the Hindu calendar, Ramanujam further said.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Bengaluru to experience 'zero shadow' on April 24; Check details here
At exactly 12.17 PM on April 24, when the sun is directly overhead, Bengaluru will experience the 'zero shadow' phenomenon, according to scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science Communication, Public Outreach, and Education (SCOPE) section, said that during this event, the sun reaches its zenith, causing vertical objects to cast no visible shadows as they fall directly beneath them. All locations in India situated below the Tropic of Cancer-including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mangaluru-experience Zero Shadow Day, Ramanujam told PTI. What is Zero Shadow Day? In Bengaluru, this occurs typically around April 24-25 and again on August 18, he added. Zero Shadow Day will reach the Tropic of Cancer on June 21, the summer solstice and the end of Uttarayana-the sun's northward journey in the Hindu calendar, Ramanujam further said. The Sun does not rise exactly in the east or set exactly in the west every day, and neither does it pass directly overhead every day. This is because of the axial tilt of the Earth of 23.5 degrees, which is the cause of seasons as well. Live Events The Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer on 21 June (summer solstice in the northern hemisphere) and then journeys southwards as seen from the Earth, called Dakshinayana. The Sun is then directly overhead the Equator on 23 September (autumnal equinox for northern hemisphere), and is overhead the Tropic of Capricorn on 22 December. It is then seen to journey northwards, called Uttarayana, and is overhead the Equator again on 21 March, and so on. Hence, the Sun is directly overhead locations between the two tropics twice a year, and this day varies with latitude. When the Sun is directly overhead, the shadow of a vertical object falls under it, and hence no shadow will be seen at local noon. Hence, this is called the Zero Shadow Day (ZSD).
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former textiles student makes stunning breakthrough with onion skins: 'I wanted to find a solution from something with no value'
One roadblock to phasing out plastic food packaging is extending the shelf life of perishable items, but HUID CEO Renuka Ramanujam may have found an ingenious solution. As detailed by the BBC, Ramanujam is transforming onion skin into compostable packaging. Because these skins have antimicrobial properties, they could ensure food stays fresh while eliminating billions of pieces of plastic waste. The entrepreneur first became familiar with onion skins as a textile student when she used them as clothing dye. Yet her desire for clean, healthy food helped fuel her development of the eco-friendly packaging solution. According to Beyond Plastics, researchers have linked 3,200 chemicals in plastics to cancer, hormonal disruptions, and neurodevelopment problems. "Plastic leaches chemicals into food when it's heated," Ramanujam told the BBC. "I wanted to find a solution from something with no value." Moreover, food waste is a significant global problem. The World Resources Institute estimates that as much as 40% of food is lost or wasted, even as around one in three people struggles with food insecurity. In addition to consuming trillions of gallons of water, lost or wasted food also produces around 8-10% of planet-warming pollution associated with more intense extreme weather, which has pushed many farmers to the brink. Ramanujam told the BBC that onions were also a perfect solution because they are a staple around the world — surpassed in production only by tomatoes, per Statista. "Imagine any meal you have — there's bound to be some onion in there. Onions are a global staple for cuisines. They're everywhere, so their waste is everywhere too," said Ramanujam, who is from India but has Dutch nationality. The entrepreneur also believes her plastic-free packaging solution could help protect biodiversity if widely adopted, serving as a replacement for cardboard products as well, though the product isn't yet ready for commercial use, per the company. What motivates you to wash your clothes in cold water? Saves money Saves energy Gentler on clothes I wash my clothes in hot water Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Trees are super important to the environment, because of the animals they home and the carbon they hold," Ramanujam shared with the BBC. "Onions don't have that responsibility." As for those worried that HUID's onion-skin packaging would infuse an unwelcome odor or taste into the foods, Ramanujam assured the BBC that there was nothing to fear. "The samples smell quite bland, if anything, maybe a little sweet," she said. "Whether that's protection or cost, we're always going to need [packaging]. We want to make sure it's done in the best way possible." HUID's partners include powerhouses such as the University of Strathclyde Advanced Materials Research Library, IBioIC, Innovate UK, and the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, a joint venture between Newcastle University and Northumbria University. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
