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4 common types of sundials
unique sundials

4 common types of sundials

A sundial tells the time of the day based on the Sun’s apparent position in the sky. Children are often taught to make unique sundials at home and tell time while viewing the sun’s movement. Over time, sundials have revolutionized from functional timepieces to noteworthy art pieces that can brighten your garden or add an oomph factor to your outdoor décor. You can choose from several contemporary styles of unique sundials that match your home décor if you’re looking to buy one.

Types of sundials
An array of unique sundials are available in the market in varying shapes and sizes, crafted from different materials. Let’s look at four common types of sundials:

  • Horizontal sundial
    This is the most common type of sundial and is characterized by its flat-shaped dial plate. Also called the “garden sundial,” it is typically spotted on pedestals in gardens. A horizontal sundial has three parts: the gnomon or the vertical part of the sundial that casts a shadow to tell time, the hour markers that denote the time on which the shadow falls, and the faceplate or the area of the dial where the shadow is cast. The faceplate tells the time.
  • Vertical sundial
    Vertical sundials are seen mounted on church walls, town halls, and other buildings so that they can be spotted from a distance. In this timepiece, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned vertically, and its gnomon is positioned to align with the Earth’s axis of rotation. This type of sundial is not equiangular, so the line of shadow will not move uniformly on the dial’s face.
  • Equatorial sundial
    The equatorial sundial is also known as the “equinoctial dial.” It sports a planar surface on which the shadow is cast. The shadow is exactly perpendicular to the gnomon’s style in this type of sundial. You can easily construct and visualize your unique type of equatorial sundial with a flat surface oriented with the celestial equator and a gnomon perpendicular to the celestial equator. This sundial’s dial plate is usually flat, but it can also be a circular ring.
  • Polar sundial
    These sundials have a dial plate that is parallel to the Earth’s axis. The gnomon is parallel to the dial plate, and the hour lines are parallel to each other. A polar sundial’s face should be parallel to the gnomon, and it doesn’t have to be vertical. This type of sundial is typically installed on a rod or is made of a rectangular plate.

Related Questions

Q1 : How to position a sundial?

Sundials need to point in the direction of True North, and the style (either a sharp straight edge or thin rod, often located at the edge or tip of the gnomon) must be aligned with the Earth's rotational axis.

Q2 : Are sundials as accurate as a clock?

A sundial is designed to read time by the sun. This places a broad limit of two minutes on accurate time because the shadow of the gnomon cast by the sun is not sharp. Looking from earth the sun is ½° across making shadows fuzzy at the edge. The actual construction of a sundial can be very accurate.

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  • A 3-step guide to positioning a sundial
    A 3-step guide to positioning a sundial

    You can install a sundial anywhere, but ensure that the location gets sunlight. Usually, people think that only a wall oriented north (in the case of the southern hemisphere) can get a sundial, but this is far from the truth. The original dials are typically aligned between the cardinal points, and they are not even vertical at times. Read on to know more about installing a sundial for your home.

    Positioning a sundial
    Consider the best place for installation when you shop for a unique sundial for your home. You can even use the slanting roof to install a sundial that’s visible from a distance. Here’s what you need to do to position the device correctly:

    • Step 1
      Level off a full-sun area of your home or garden. The sundial’s angle in relation to the horizon is important, but it will not impact its accuracy significantly. If you seek complete accuracy in the sundial’s placement, you should find the true north.
    • Step 2
      Choose a clear night, locate the North Star, and align the sundial’s shade arm or gnomon. You need to ensure that it is in line with the North Star.
    • Step 3
      If the North Star cannot be seen from where you are, you can choose to set your sundial on either of these dates: April 15, June 15, September 1, or December 25. On these days, the solar time and the clock time are in sync. So, you can simply orient the sundial to ensure that the shadow of the gnomon falls on the marking for noon.

    Some people prefer to use a compass to locate the magnetic north, but it will not be the true north. You have to consider the magnetic declination of your location to set the sundial accurately.

    Other factors to consider while positioning a sundial
    Ensuring thorough risk understanding and preparation increases the chances of your project’s success and the durability of the unique sundial you choose to install. Consider the following parameters before choosing a place for installation:

    • Visibility from the street or the garden
    • Daily illumination duration throughout the year
    • Accessibility for installation, especially if you chose a giant-sized, heavy sundial
    • The risk of bushes or plants obscuring the sundial or trees casting a shadow over it
    • Exposure to bad weather like ice, heavy rain, or wind
    • Risk of injury majorly by the dial’s style, especially if you choose the metal style of an equatorial or horizontal sundial
  • 5 fun facts about sundials
    5 fun facts about sundials

    If you have ever been to a historical place, you may have seen a unique sundial. Back in the day, sundials were used to tell the local time based on the sun’s apparent position in the sky. A sundial comprises multiple parts that work to cast a shadow that denotes the time. Here are a few fun facts about sundials that you should know.

    • Evolution in application over the centuries
      The first-ever sundial was built in Egypt around 1500 BCE and was a fairly simple model. Later, upgraded, more efficient versions had settings that allowed people to change the dates on the dial to calculate the correct time. Today, people rarely use sundials to tell time, but you can find several unique designs in the market. These dials are typically installed on buildings or streets to add to outdoor decor.
    • Do not work after dark
      A sundial’s accuracy is dependent on the weather and sunlight, so it will not work in the dark hours of the night.
    • Types of sundials
      Primarily, there are two major types of sundials: azimuth sundial and altitude sundial. The azimuth sundial enables people to determine time based on the sun’s angle on the arc or its direction. On the other hand, altitude dials use the sun’s height or altitude above the horizon to tell time. Such dials may be a little challenging to work with. These are not oriented toward the north and are held vertically toward the sun.
    • Accuracy
      The sun takes different pathways across the sky in various parts of the world, so a sundial should be tailored to the location where it will be used. Additionally, the sun’s visible position changes every day, so the shadow also differs. That said, the construction can be highly accurate.
    • Its workings
      Be it the ancient sundials or today’s unique sundials found in distinctive styles and sizes for decor or as art, the working is more or less the same. A sundial tells the time according to the gnomon’s shadow cast on the dial. The shadow’s length is the shortest during mid-day, when the sun is at the highest point in the sky. In the afternoon, when the sun is lower, the shadow will be the longest. That said, bear in mind that the sun’s height varies based on seasons too. A sundial’s dial is equivalent to a 24-hour clock face. They are usually marked only with daylight hours, but some unique sundials have 24 hours markers on them.