How a Sundial Works (And Why You Need One in Your Backyard)

Let’s step back in time to examine what makes sundials, the original time-keeping devices, tick.

In the world of timekeeping, where contemporary technology frequently overshadows the age-old art of measuring time, sundials emerge as time-tested artifacts. 

While anachronistic, sundials connect us to the celestial rhythms that have guided humanity for centuries. These captivating instruments, often appear in public spaces and are most often passed by without regard. However, sundials have a long and illustrious history.

Their profound simplicity invites us to take a step back and appreciate the way sunlight and shadow dance together.

The Pyramids of Giza Are Sundials (Kind Of)

It has been hypothesized that the pyramids, particularly the Great Pyramid of Giza, functioned similarly to sundials. The ancient Egyptians were expert astronomers and builders. They built many of their buildings with astronomical alignment in mind. 

While the Giza pyramids couldn’t be considered sundials in a strict sense, they can serve a similar timekeeping function.

In particular, the pyramids’ sides are very precisely aligned with the compass’s cardinal points. In other words, the pyramids’ sides face the directions of the north, south, east, and west. 

The pyramid casts a shadow as the sun moves across the sky, and the shadow’s length and position can be utilized to determine the time of day.

Some researchers believe that the pyramids were built to align with celestial events such as the equinoxes. During equinoxes, which occur around March 20 and September 23, day and night are roughly equal in duration.

During some periods, the pyramid’s shadow may line up in a particular way, signifying the passing of an equinox.

It’s crucial to remember that although the pyramids could function as crude sundials, keeping time was probably not their main function.

More than likely having to do with practical timekeeping, the accuracy with which the pyramids are aligned to the cardinal points and specific celestial events is related to religious, symbolic, or cultural importance.

Sundials As Art

Astronomy and handiwork come together to form the foundation of a sundial. 

Sundials are not merely functional timekeepers; rather, they can be exquisite works of art that can endow backyard with an air of sophistication. Sundials can be crafted from a wide variety of materials, ranging from rustic stone to elegant bronze.

Imagine a sundial with a polished brass gnomon (you do know what a gnomon is, don’t you?). Picture in your mind the raised arm as its shadow passes precisely over a perfectly calibrated dial plate.

Each mark and inscription on the dial plate tells a different story about the passage of time. It’s quite poetic, really. 

Parts of a Sundial

One of the most important factors in a sundial’s functionality is the way it is aligned with the sun. 

For the purpose of obtaining an accurate reading of solar time, the gnomon is carefully angled in accordance with the latitude of its location. 

The dial plate, which can be adorned with intricately carved numerals and divisions, serves as a canvas for the celestial ballet, depicting the journey that the sun takes throughout the day. 

Most sundials sit on a base of some kind.

Slow Down With a Sundial

It is impossible not to experience a profound sense of connection to the universe when one watches the shadows move across the dial in such a graceful manner.

Sundial installation requires more than simply positioning it in the backyard; it also necessitates considering the direction in which it is oriented.

During the sundial positioning process, true north will serve as your guide, enabling the gnomon to get into a perfect alignment with the pole.

The process transforms the installation of a sundial into a personal interaction with the natural world. 

The shadow that is cast by the gnomon on a true sundial follows the markings on the base as the sun moves across the sky. 

Regular sundial observation can foster a deeper connection to the natural rhythms that govern our lives. Their silent presence serves as a reminder that, despite the distractions of the digital world, time marches on in the same way it has for eons.

Installing a Sundial

Building a sundial in your backyard may be an enjoyable and instructive hobby. Here is a tutorial to assist you in creating your own makeshift sundial:

Materials

1. A flat, horizontal surface (like a piece of wood or a concrete slab)

2. A straight stick or dowel (vertical rod)

3. Small pebbles or stones

4. Compass

5. Protractor

6. A watch or clock

How To Set Up a Sundial

Now that you have gathered your sundial materials, the fun can begin. Follow these steps to erect your altar to the Sun God(s):

Step #1: Select a Location

Pick a spot in your backyard that is exposed to direct sunlight for the majority of the day. The sundial must be positioned so that the stick’s shadow is evident.

Step #2: Set Up the Base

Position the level surface (wood, concrete, etc.) at the desired spot. Verify that it is level.

Step #3: Position the Stick

Place the dowel or stick vertically in the base’s center. The stick’s shadow will show the time.

Step #4: Determine Your Latitude

To determine the magnetic north, use a compass. You can change the tilt of the sundial according to the latitude of your location. Use this free calculator to determine your setup. 

Step #5: Mark Hour Points

Mark the location of the stick’s shadow on the level surface at regular intervals during the day. 

You can accomplish this by setting little stones or pebbles at hourly intervals. You can find the right angles for each hour with the aid of a protractor.

Step #6: Include Numbers

The numeral should be written on each hour mark. Begin at 6 AM and continue until 6 PM, or as long as it takes you to get an accurate sundial.

Step #7: Seasonal Adjustments for Daylight Saving Time (when applicable) 

If needed, change the hour markings to reflect Daylight Saving Time. It could be necessary to move the hour markings one hour in either direction.

Step #8: Observe and Adjust

Wait for a sunny day, then track the shadow’s movement throughout the day. Make any necessary modifications to guarantee your sundial’s accuracy.

Recall that sundials function best when they are oriented toward true north, therefore for increased accuracy, remember to orient your sundial in that direction. 

However, the tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the sundial’s accuracy to change with the seasons, so it might not be as precise as a contemporary clock. 

Wristwatch Sundials

Smaller versions of traditional sundials that are worn on the wrist like watches are called wristwatch sundials. These devices consist of a small sundial plate with hour and occasionally minute marks. 

A small rod standing perpendicular to the plate stands serves as the gnomon. 

Just like with a full-sized dial, it works by using the sun’s location to cast a shadow to determine the time. 

The shadow moves over the face of the sundial as the sun moves across the sky, providing a rough approximation of the time by matching up with the hour marks.

As you might imagine, wristwatch sundials are noticeably less accurate and much more inconvenient than contemporary watches or digital timepieces.

For one thing, they don’t work indoors. 

Also, your arm must be perfectly positioned to get even a remotely accurate reading. 

Today, wristwatch sundials are mostly considered novelty items because they don’t have the functionality needed for accurate timekeeping.

Wristwatch sundials frequently have distinctive, ornamental designs, and some have fine features that highlight their usefulness as conversation starters or fashion ornaments rather than as functional timepieces. 

You can find these unusual accessories in many materials, including plastic, wood, and metal, which adds to their overall visual attractiveness.

As I mentioned, since wristwatch sundials depend on sunlight and must be precisely oriented toward the sun, their usefulness is restricted. They are not appropriate for indoor use, in low light, or on overcast days. 

Instead, they remain symbolic or thematic objects rather than practical timekeeping solutions.

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about sundials: 

What is a sundial?

A sundial is a device used to tell time using the Sun and the movement of a specific shadow during the day. 

How do sundials work?

The Sun casts a shadow over a carefully calibrated rod, known as the gnomon. The location of the shadow indicates the time of day, as designated by hour marks on the base of the sundial. 

Archaic Yet Artistic: Sundials in The Modern World

In conclusion, wristwatch sundials appeal to people who are fascinated by unusual clocks because they combine ancient timekeeping notions with wearable and artistic designs.

However, digital devices or conventional wristwatches continue to be the most sensible option for precise and dependable timekeeping.

Sundial adoption is a form of defiance against the unrelenting advance of technology in a world that is flooded with high-tech gadgets.

It is a recognition of the fact that time, when measured by the gentle touch of the sun, takes on a poetic quality that transcends the dispassionate efficiency of modern clocks. 

When you are considering purchasing or designing a sundial for your backyard, it is important to keep in mind that you are not only creating a device that keeps track of time.

Acquire a sundial and you are welcoming a celestial companion that reveals the mysteries of time as the sun moves across the sky. 

Where are you going to put your first sundial? Let me know in the comments!