Question

Mid-days Sun can be seen overhead in Chennai twice a year, but not even once in Delhi. Why?

Answer 1

Tropic of Cancer is the Northernmost limit of overhead Sun. Sun’s rays do not fall vertical beyond 23 1/2° N latitude. Delhi is located North of Tropic of Cancer, so the Sun is never overhead at Delhi. But Chennai has overhead Sun twice a year.

1. When the Sun moves northward, from the equator to Tropic of Cancer, the Sun is overhead at Chennai.
2. When the Sun shifts from Tropic of Cancer to the equator, then again Chennai has overhead Sun.