sundials
Garden time markers
Sundials are timekeeping devices that use the position of the sun's shadow to indicate the hour.
A gnomon—an angled rod or blade—casts a shadow onto a marked dial face as the sun moves across the sky.
Once common in gardens and public squares, sundials now serve mainly as decorative objects: The old sundial in the courtyard still keeps reasonable time on sunny days.
Sundial's shadow-casting projection
- shadowLight blocked by object
- hour angleAngular distance from meridian
- solar timeTimekeeping by sun position
- declinationAngular distance from equator
meridian · hour hand · calibration · solstice · equinox · local time · chronometry · daylight hours
Ringed astronomical teaching model
- pedestalSupport for statuary
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- Roman numeralsAlphabetic number system
- mottoGuiding behavioral phrase
brass plate · orientation · decorative · classical · geometric · renaissance · sculptural
Very old indeed
- BabylonianOf ancient Mesopotamian empire
- GreekOf Athenian origin
- RomanOf ancient Italy's capital
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
monastery · Renaissance · antiquarian · Vitruvius · ancient technology · archaeological · museum piece · heritage
Of the sky above
- axial tiltRotational axis deviation
- eclipticSun's apparent annual path
- zenithPoint straight overhead
- azimuthHorizontal directional angle
celestial sphere · astronomical · heliocentric · planetary motion · seasons · Copernicus · latitude · longitude
For beauty, not function
- landscape featureNatural geographic element
- focal pointCenter of interest
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
- weatheredEroded by exposure
patina · English garden · courtyard · estate · botanical garden · statuary · verdigris · marble
gnomon
Sundial's shadow-casting projection
- shadowLight blocked by object
- hour angleAngular distance from meridian
- solar timeTimekeeping by sun position
declination · meridian · hour hand · calibration · solstice · equinox · local time · chronometry · daylight hours · shadow length
armillary sphere
Ringed astronomical teaching model
- pedestalSupport for statuary
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- Roman numeralsAlphabetic number system
brass plate · motto · orientation · decorative · classical · geometric · renaissance · sculptural
ancient
Very old indeed
- BabylonianOf ancient Mesopotamian empire
- GreekOf Athenian origin
- RomanOf ancient Italy's capital
medieval · monastery · Renaissance · antiquarian · Vitruvius · ancient technology · archaeological · museum piece · heritage · restoration
celestial
Of the sky above
- axial tiltRotational axis deviation
- eclipticSun's apparent annual path
- zenithPoint straight overhead
azimuth · celestial sphere · astronomical · heliocentric · planetary motion · seasons · Copernicus · latitude · longitude · true north
ornamental
For beauty, not function
- landscape featureNatural geographic element
- focal pointCenter of interest
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
weathered · patina · English garden · courtyard · estate · botanical garden · statuary · verdigris · marble · formal garden
- obsolete thingsdodo, dodo bird, passenger pigeon, dinosaurs, mammoth
- time traditionsdaylight saving, time zones, leap year, calendar systems, New Year countdown
- ancient timekeepingwater clocks, gnomon, hourglasses, sand clocks, solar time
- timekeepingclock, watch, watches, clocks, timer
- artifactspottery shards, knives, masks, pottery, antiquity
- analog technologyanalog clocks, analog clock, analog computers, film cameras, analog meter
sundialsatomic clocks
Devices measuring time via particle vibrations
digital clocks · wristwatches · smartwatches · quartz watches · mechanical clocks