When we hear the word sundial the thought of
the ancient time comes into our mind when the
sundials were used to measure the time. Nowadays
the sundials are used more as decorative equipment
than the time measuring instrument. A sun dial
measures the time by position of the sun, casting
a shadow to the ground whose size and angle represents
the current time. History of sundials is very
old. If we study the sundial history, we would
come to know that the sun dials were first used
by the Egyptian back in round about 1000 B.C.
when there were no clocks with which time could
be measured. Although sundials are also found
in the other cultures like Chinese, Greek and
Romans, making it difficult for us to tell who
invented the sundial but evidences show that the
Greeks were first who invented the sundial clock
and implemented it in their large grounds. Only
problem they faces at that time was it did not
work at nights and they could not measure the
time in nights.
The sundials are also used in the modern era
more as a decorative thing than a time measuring
device. Some places it is also been used to check
and observe the position of the Sun at various
times. Different sun dial patterns are used suitable
with a landscape decorative scheme to make a landscape
look more attractive. Different color pattern
are used to make the base of a sundial for the
better look of sundials in gardens. Garden sundials
are now available in the market.
From a design perspective, a person may think
that how to make a sundial? The making of sun
dial does not require much equipment. You can
make a sun dial at your own. These are the directions
to how to make a sun dial. First you need to choose
the style of your sundial. It can be vertical,
horizontal, polar sundial, Equinoctial, Vertical
declining dials, inclining declining dials and
Inclining dials. To construct a sundial you need
to choose its type first. A sundial consists of
two major parts, gnomon or style which casts the
shadow and dial face on which the shadow is cast
and on which the scale for the time is present.
Other major thing is the sub-style height which
represents the angle which is perpendicularly
made by style to the dial face. Face angle is
the angle of the face marking or you may say the
angle which tells us about the spacing in a sundial.
Now you need to calculate face-angle and style
height with the help of which you can install
the style on the dial face and make your sundial
ready. There is a different formula for all these
parameters in different types of sundials. Usually
the style height is equal to the latitude but
in vertical direct it is considered as co latitude
(90 minus from the latitude). This is how to build
a sundial.
Portable sundials have also been introduced for
the purpose of navigation. You may carry them
along with you to any place. The main factor in
the use of portable sun dials is the placement.
Usually the sun dials are designed such that they
can be accurately used at an angle 45 degree to
the north side. Variations are also used in this
angle according to the application. Therefore,
you need to exactly know that at what angle to
the equator you need to use the portable sun dial.
Sundial watch is also available.
Sun dials are becoming more and more common in
garden décor. Various designs and formats
are available for the garden sundials to add a
more artistic look to your garden.
