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The sun is directly overhead when shadows are shortest. This occurs at solar noon, which is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
The higher the Sun is in the sky, the shorter the shadows produced. In some places the Sun can be overhead at certain times of year. In that case no significant shadows are seen.
The sun is at its highest point in the sky at the meridian, which occurs at solar noon. You can determine this by observing when the sun crosses an imaginary line running from north to south in the sky. At this time, shadows will be shortest, and the sun will be directly south (or north in the Southern Hemisphere) at its maximum altitude.
Yes, the season can affect the direction of shadows due to the position of the sun in the sky. In the summer, the sun is higher in the sky, resulting in shorter shadows that are cast more directly below objects. In the winter, the sun is lower, leading to longer shadows that are cast at an angle.
Highest is at noon, and the lowest is at dawn and dusk.