A rare astronomical event is expected to take place in Mecca this year as the sun will align directly above the Kaaba on the Day of Arafat. According to astronomers, the phenomenon will occur at noon on May 27, 2026, which corresponds to the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah 1447H. At the exact moment of alignment, the sun will be positioned directly above the Kaaba, causing shadows to disappear completely in Mecca.

A rare astronomical event is expected to take place in Mecca this year as the sun will align directly above the Kaaba on the Day of Arafat.

According to astronomers, the phenomenon will occur at noon on May 27, 2026, which corresponds to the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah 1447H. At the exact moment of alignment, the sun will be positioned directly above the Kaaba, causing shadows to disappear completely in Mecca.

The sun’s alignment above the Kaaba is not unusual on its own, as it normally happens twice every year due to Mecca’s geographical location near latitude 21.4 degrees north. The event occurs as the sun appears to move between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer.

However, what makes this year’s alignment special is that it will coincide with the Day of Arafat, one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. Astronomers said this rare overlap was last recorded in 1993.

They explained that the coincidence happens because of the difference between the lunar Hijri calendar and the solar Gregorian calendar. The lunar cycle takes around 33 years to realign with the same solar dates.

Meanwhile, the National Center for Meteorology of Saudi Arabia has clarified that the alignment is a natural and recurring astronomical phenomenon. However, the center said the event does not necessarily lead to exceptional increases in temperature.

The center added that weather conditions are affected by several factors, including humidity, cloud cover, wind speed, and air mass movement, rather than the angle of sunlight alone.

Hussein Al Qahtani, official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, said the phenomenon is monitored every year as part of normal astronomical observations. He added that claims linking the alignment to unprecedented heat require scientific clarification.

Al Qahtani further said that the center uses observation stations, modern technologies, and numerical forecasting models to ensure accurate weather data and temperature reports. He urged the public to rely on official sources for weather updates and forecasts.

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