Groundhog Day puts shadows in spotlight (From thisisoxfordshire)

Groundhog Day puts shadows in spotlight

6:00pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News

IN THE UK, February 2 might not mean much, but in the USA they spend the day fixated on a groundhog’s shadow.

So at Science Oxford at the weekend they used the occasion of ‘Groundhog Day’ to pass on some shadowy tricks.

Youngsters turned up and experimented with shadow puppets and sundials to learn about how they work.

James Cann, from Headington, Oxford, took his children Harry, five, and Emily, four, along on Saturday. Mr Cann said: “They had a great time and it was really good. Harry made a dinosaur shadow puppet while Emily made an owl.”

Harry, pictured with his Carcharodontosaurus, said: “I had a nice time. I made a dinosaur shadow puppet and it was really cool.”

Groundhog Day is marked in the USA every February 2 when people gather to see groundhog Punxsutawney Phil leave his burrow.

According to tradition, if it is cloudy when he emerges then spring will come early, but if it is sunny the groundhog will see his shadow and go back into his burrow, meaning winter will last for another six weeks.

This year he predicted an early spring.

Picture: OX56617 Antony Moore