solar dial
The proposed sundial itself, is in essence a model of Mercury orbiting the Sun, its closest neighbour in the solar system. The model of Mercury could be made of a brass sphere with a rod running though its axis. The Mercury sphere is mounted on a brass plate, this in turn is mounted onto a flat section of a large casted material sphere which represents the Sun.
The proposed sundial itself, is in essence a model of Mercury orbiting the Sun, its closest neighbour in the solar system. The model of Mercury could be made of a brass sphere with a rod running though its axis. The Mercury sphere is mounted on a brass plate, this in turn is mounted onto a flat section of a large casted material sphere which represents the Sun.
combination of two types of sundials in one.
This design is in fact a combination sundial, featuring two types: a spherical and a “bowstring” equatorial sundial.
The brass rod that passes through the Mercury sphere acts as two gnomon (the pointers) the top one is used to indicates the time of day and is read on the base plate, the one at the bottom points to the equatorial brass curve band and shows the time of year, equinoxes and solstices.
All the hour and date lines on the spherical brass base plate and equatorial curved band are engraved into the surface, and would be weather resistant and would be easy to read.
The sundial would be set according to the following criteria:
The Mercury sphere's axis of rotation would be inclined at an angle equal in latitude and parallel to the Earth’s axis, the top pointer of the Mercury sphere points toward the North celestial pole (Polaris, the North Star).
The sundial is oriented to its specific location in Craignish.
The pointer located on the bottom of the Mercury sphere points toward the Nadir (opposite from the zenith, up the line of longitude and passes through the pointer and functions as the 12-noon hour line on the equatorial sundial.
The brass rod that passes through the Mercury sphere acts as two gnomon (the pointers) the top one is used to indicates the time of day and is read on the base plate, the one at the bottom points to the equatorial brass curve band and shows the time of year, equinoxes and solstices.
All the hour and date lines on the spherical brass base plate and equatorial curved band are engraved into the surface, and would be weather resistant and would be easy to read.
The sundial would be set according to the following criteria:
The Mercury sphere's axis of rotation would be inclined at an angle equal in latitude and parallel to the Earth’s axis, the top pointer of the Mercury sphere points toward the North celestial pole (Polaris, the North Star).
The sundial is oriented to its specific location in Craignish.
The pointer located on the bottom of the Mercury sphere points toward the Nadir (opposite from the zenith, up the line of longitude and passes through the pointer and functions as the 12-noon hour line on the equatorial sundial.