The cruciform stone has four concave sides leaving four curving arms between them, thus creating the cross shape. This particular stone has a small concave end on each curving arm [not visible in the photo]. So the single stone has eight dials, on four large concave sides and four small ones. [Note: the shadow in this photo is from indoor lighting not from the sun.]
On 10 October the autumn equinox has passed and the cursor reading point has moved out from the inner circle of the dial towards winter solstice at the circumference. The sighting arm carries a short vertical gnomon which casts its shadow in line with the sun.
The azimuth sundial is an intriguing instrument. It finds the time from the direction of the sun. This idea sounds simple, the sun rises in the East, at Noon it is due South, and it sets again in the West, but it is complicated by the time of year. This note is about a new design for a precision azimuth sundial to go in a garden. Continue reading
This dial stone is a test piece for the new obelisk sundial, and is on a board at the correct angle for one of the faces of the obelisk. It faces East and inclines 61° to horizontal so the shadow of the temporary plastic gnomon will show the time.
Obelisk sundials carved in stone were popular in Scotland in the 17th and 18th centuries. Quite recently stonemasons in Fife have done the work to carve a new obelisk sundial for one of their clients. Its dials have remained blank for mathematical calibration. Macmillan Hunter are responsible for the calibration and have supplied detailed dial instructions and drawings for the mason to use together with the required set of geometric bronze gnomons. Continue reading
Skein Dial, Hannah Imlach, 2023. Art installation and sundial at RSPB Loch Lomond, with the artwork constructed in Corten steel in the foreground and the towering mass of Ben Lomond in the distance. This is a remarkable piece that captures the ephemeral impression of geese in flight and shows the dates when they migrate by a sundial shadow. Photo: Hannah Imlach
In November 2022 visual artist Hannah Imlach approached us to talk about an art installation she had in mind for the RSPB Nature Reserve at Loch Lomond. The reserve is a prime site where Greenland White-fronted geese come and overwinter. Hannah’s concept for her artwork was a visual image of skeins of geese flying in the sky combined with a sundial showing the times when the geese arrive and leave. White-fronted geese migrate from Greenland in the autumn and return there in the springtime to breed. Continue reading
This small brass garden sundial had lost its gnomon. It is dearly loved by its owner who has known it since childhood, and she wanted to have it restored. As often happens at different times the family moved home and the sundial moved too. Continue reading
Knowing the declination of the wall (WD) is important for designing a sundial. The basic calculation is azimuth angle (AA) minus protractor angle (PA) plus 90°. You can repeat your measurements for accuracy. Do ask for help if you are unsure.
“What is the declination of the wall for a sundial?” A stone sculptor asked us just this question recently . It is a good question because you must know the declination if you are making a sundial that is accurate for the wall. The sculptor was not confident about their own measurements and calculations so they asked us for help. Continue reading