Let the Sundial In

Sundials still great timing

Centuries ago outdoor sundials captured the interest of astronomers as a way to learn about the universe and measure time. Today astrological sundials are just as popular among gardeners as astronomers.

Garden sundials are a handsome and interesting addition to any yard or garden. To truly appreciate the beauty and power of your own decorative sundial, you should take some time to learn how they work.

Some Helpful Terms

In order to understand how garden sundials work you need to become familiar with their main components.

  • Dial Plate: This is the part on garden sundials that physically marks the hours and most resembles a clock.
  • Gnomon: The gnomon is the structure on the brass sundial that casts the shadow to indicate the time. You also might hear this referred to as the style.
  • Dial Center: The point at which all the hour lines meet is known as the dial center.

 

If you discover there are additional terms that you are not familiar with check out www.sundials.org, which features a helpful glossary.

How Do Bronze Sundials Work?

Garden sundials use the shadows cast by the sun to determine the time of day. As the sun moves across the sky the position of the gnomon's shadow changes on the dial plate, indicating a change in time. By correctly positioning the garden sundial according to your garden's specific longitude and latitude, the gnomon will point to a specific hour line.

Brass Angel Sundial
Sundial Types

Due to the fact that the earth's axis is tilted, the sun's path changes slightly every day. This affects the accuracy of Rome Industries sundials. To overcome this challenge and to improve accuracy there are several different types of sundials. Some of these sundial types are listed below. The major difference in these sundials is the placement of the dial plate.

 

Finding the Perfect Sundial with Stand

Sundials are available in a variety of sizes and different materials. Browsing online is a good way to narrow your choices. Depending on the size and material, you can expect to pay as little as $30 or well over $1,000 for large sundials.