Sun Clocks

Sun clocks, or sundials, can be found all over the world. There are noted historical and modern architectural landmarks, and some that blend into the scenery, hidden from the unknowing. We admire the beautifully ornate sundials in elaborate formal gardens, but it is not always apparent how to read them. The more simplistic traditional sundials sold in garden centers do not tell time all that well (to me), but serve as a decorative reminder of a bygone era.

I spent weeks searching through math-ladden web sites looking for a simple design, custom template, or easy construction method, for an analmmatic sun clock for my yard. I found several interesting free plans for kid's outdoor activities on the Internet that I think I can modify for my use. At the very least, they may be fun and educational projects that can be as simple, or elaborate, as a budget will allow, and space permits.

I will warn you that even if you decide on a sun clock design with computer generated calculations, to avoid all the math involved, you will still have to mathematically construct the layout onto the yard or garden area.

Interesting TIME

sundial faceThe following web site information may help you understand some basic sundial terminology before getting started on your project. If you are already familiar with the information, skip to the FUN part.

Helpful sundial web sites:

In Your Garden

A little about an analemmatic sun clock:

Morning, noon, and night fall are times of the day easily determined, but the length of daylight hours change throughout the seasons. An analemmatic sun clock takes the time of year into account by having the human "gnomon" stand on the designated spot for the current month in the centrally located calendar section of its layout. This special monthly positioning causes the human shadow to fall more closely on the appropriate hour mark in "solar time."

But, what about Daylight Savings Time (DST)? The analemmatic clock can be created with an outer offset row of hour markers to represent DST (see diagram below).

An analemmatic sun clock is versatile. The components can be set flush with the ground for easy yard maintenance, or created with small structures and plantings, or embedded in sand and stone-filled beds. They can also be painted onto asphalt and concrete pavements (see sidebar photos at right).

Materials and information you may need:

  • Analemmatic Human Sun ClockRetrieve your Latitude and Longitude by entering your zipcode from one of the following: ZipInfo, or NOAA.
  • Use your latitude and longitude for one of these free online calculators or templates:

    • Personal Shadow Clock - a child's activity.
    • Making a Sun Clock - small printable analemmatic template for a child's project; could be used to help layout hour marks for a larger project.
    • NASA: Solar Clock - printable clock template; kid-friendly.
    • Pacific Science Center: Making A Sun Clock - printable sundial templates for the West Coast; kid-friendly.
    • Sundial Hour Line Calculator - does not work with FireFox browser, but does well with Internet Explorer; simple to use.
    • Sundial Primer: Excel Sundials - calculations can be printed to construct various types of sundials; Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program must be already installed on your computer; advanced users.
    • Sundial Primer: Dialing Guides - printable precalculated analemmatic sun clock charts for various latitudes; advanced users.
  • Digital Camera (optional): Once you choose a design, you may find it useful to take pictures of the area you intend to layout your sun clock. Print the photograph as large as you can, write notes, information, and sketch your preliminary design plan. This will help you convey your idea to your "clock crew" (other helpers).
  • Compass to locate Magnetic North.
  • Layout and construction tools: string, yardsticks, measure tape, protractor, spray can of marking paint (baking flour will serve the purpose), stakes, shovels, hammers (to drive stakes), and a pocket calculator may come in handy.
  • Snacks and drinks: Construction may take a few hours, depending on the size of your design, so a few comforts may keep your crew on-site when needed.

Additional things to consider:

You can make a sun clock for your yard or garden, school, scout troop, or community organization. It can be a fun and educational project for all ages. Determine a sun clock design that best suits your needs, or the area you have to work with, and the size clock your budget and time will allow. You can organize a group to help delegate responsibilities to prevent a big project from becoming too overwhelming.

Your sun clock will be uniquely personal and meaningful. Having the various clock components pre-made could shorten the construction time on project day, and help to work out any bugs beforehand. Consider scheduling preliminary workdays to make and customize component features for the sun clock, like: painted or tiled stepping-stones for hour indicators, or sundial face; construction of a creative gnomon or pedestal; locate plants, or start seeds for special landscaping needs. I am sure you can think of countless ideas for your sun clock, or sundial!

Most important, be sure to have FUN!

Analemmatic
Sun Clocks

(Click for larger photo)

Analemmatic Sun Clock

Analemmatic Sun Clock

Analemmatic Sun Clock

Analemmatic Sun Clock

Analemmatic Sun Clock

Analemmatic Sun Clock

Other Styles
of Sun Clocks

(Click for larger photo)

Traditional Garden Sundial
Traditional Garden Sundial

Stonehenge
Stonehenge

Vertical Wall Sun Clock
Vertical Wall Sun Clock

Article Photo Credits

Wiki Commons:
All photos in the Public Domain, and Attribute 1, 2, or 3.
Click any of the modified photos on the right sidebar to see the larger version of the original, along with photo information.

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