Armillary Sundials

Unique decoration for your yard or garden

Adding garden armillary sundials in your backyard or garden immediately gives the area a new feeling of elegance and sophistication. Conventional flat sundials are certainly beautiful but nothing matches the grace and stylishness of a garden armillary sundial.

And not only is a steel armillary sundial a stunning decorative addition to you yard but it is also a functional timepiece as well.

Setting Up a Brass Armillary Sundial to Accurately Tell Time
A garden armillary sundial works on the same principle as a conventional flat sundial but with the hours engraved on a curved hour band. As the sun travels across the sky the angled pointer, known as a gnomon, casts its shadow on the hour band. The accuracy of your armillary sundial is determined by the angle of the gnomon so proper set-up is crucial.

  • To begin, mount your garden armillary sundial on a stable pedestal or stand in an area of your yard that will be in direct sunlight during the day.
  • The arrowhead of the gnomon should be facing north.
  • If you don't have a compass to help you align your garden armillary sundial you can use the sun.
  • At noon, stand with your back to the sun, which is due south during that time.
  • Point the arrow away from you and it should be facing north well enough to judge time fairly accurately.

 

Rome Armillary Sundial

Be sure that the aluminum armillary sundial base is as level as possible. To set the time, use a watch or clock to know when it is a certain hour then adjust the dial until the shadow from the gnomon is falling on the corresponding number on the hour band. Once you are sure you've got the garden armillary sundial positioned correctly you can anchor it to the sundial base or sundial pedestal using epoxy glue, screws, or other means.

Following these steps will ensure that your garden armillary sundial will be a beautiful and functional part of your yard for many years.