KINILENS | One can usually see one's own shadow when walking under the sun, but some people in several major Malaysian cities might have noticed that their own shadow could hardly be seen due to the solar equinox phenomenon recently.

A solar equinox is a moment when the sun crosses the earth's equator, as had happened on March 21 near noontime. This meant that the sun would have been directly on top of people who were standing around the equator, causing the shadow cast by their body to land directly beneath their feet, looking as if there were no shadows.

The phenomenon also occurred on March 23 in cities such as Serian, Sri Aman, and Betong in Sarawak, and Kukup in Johor. The phenomenon also occurred today in several cities in the Klang Valley, with Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya experiencing the equinox at 1.19pm and Shah Alam at 1.20pm.

Other Malaysian cities are expected to experience the phenomenon up until April 7, when the sun moves laterally north towards countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

"I want all of 'Keluarga Malaysia' to appreciate this phenomenon. Members of the public are encouraged to observe the shadows of themselves or surrounding objects earlier in the day," said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Adham Baba.

The equinox also marks the start of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the south.