SEVERAL ASTRONOMERS are expected to congregate at village Dongla in the district to observe the entry of Sun in Cancer Zodiac tomorrow.
The village has immense significance for the study of astronomy as the tropic of Cancer pass exactly at a point in village Dongla. When Sun would enter this Zodiac and at 12.27 in the noon, shadow of the object would miss, said Sanjay Kethwas, a local astronomer engaged in the relevant observations for years.
According to information, astronomers from Bhopal, Itarsi, and Indore are also arriving at the spot to register their observations. The no shadow position arises when Sun comes exactly perpendicular to that point of tropic there. The situation will last for 45 seconds, said Kethwas.
The Vakankar Observatory working to develop the place has placed some instruments used in time calculation. Archeological Department official Raman Solanki told the Hindustan Times that Padmashri Vishnu Shreedhar Vakankar has discovered passing of the tropic of Cancer from this place in 1985 which was endorsed by some noted astronomers including Janardan Negi after observing on Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument.
Although, the effect could be experienced in the circumference of 60 km, the inclination angle of 23 degree and 26 minutes meet at that point in the village.
Amazingly, the government has not yet felt the significance of this rare positioning of the village as far as astronomy as concern as no initiative have so far been taken to develop and publicize the place.
{{/usCountry}}Amazingly, the government has not yet felt the significance of this rare positioning of the village as far as astronomy as concern as no initiative have so far been taken to develop and publicize the place.
{{/usCountry}}Villagers ready to welcome
Residents of Dongla are enthusiastic over the hype and have made preparations for the guests. Village Secretary Babulal Patel said meals and other needs of the guests would be taken care of as they have indeed made their village a popular one.