When we hear the word sundial the thought of the ancient time comes into our mind when the sundials were used to measure the time. Nowadays the sundials are used more as decorative equipment than the time measuring instrument. A sun dial measures the time by position of the sun, casting a shadow to the ground whose size and angle represents the current time. History of sundials is very old. If we study the sundial history, we would come to know that the sun dials were first used by the Egyptian back in round about 1000 B.C. when there were no clocks with which time could be measured. Although sundials are also found in the other cultures like Chinese, Greek and Romans, making it difficult for us to tell who invented the sundial but evidences show that the Greeks were first who invented the sundial clock and implemented it in their large grounds. Only problem they faces at that time was it did not work at nights and they could not measure the time in nights.
The sundials are also used in the modern era more as a decorative thing than a time measuring device. Some places it is also been used to check and observe the position of the Sun at various times. Different sun dial patterns are used suitable with a landscape decorative scheme to make a landscape look more attractive. Different color pattern are used to make the base of a sundial for the better look of sundials in gardens. Garden sundials are now available in the market.
From a design perspective, a person may think that how to make a sundial? The making of sun dial does not require much equipment. You can make a sun dial at your own. These are the directions to how to make a sun dial. First you need to choose the style of your sundial. It can be vertical, horizontal, polar sundial, Equinoctial, Vertical declining dials, inclining declining dials and Inclining dials. To construct a sundial you need to choose its type first. A sundial consists of two major parts, gnomon or style which casts the shadow and dial face on which the shadow is cast and on which the scale for the time is present. Other major thing is the sub-style height which represents the angle which is perpendicularly made by style to the dial face. Face angle is the angle of the face marking or you may say the angle which tells us about the spacing in a sundial. Now you need to calculate face-angle and style height with the help of which you can install the style on the dial face and make your sundial ready. There is a different formula for all these parameters in different types of sundials. Usually the style height is equal to the latitude but in vertical direct it is considered as co latitude (90 minus from the latitude). This is how to build a sundial.
Portable sundials have also been introduced for the purpose of navigation. You may carry them along with you to any place. The main factor in the use of portable sun dials is the placement. Usually the sun dials are designed such that they can be accurately used at an angle 45 degree to the north side. Variations are also used in this angle according to the application. Therefore, you need to exactly know that at what angle to the equator you need to use the portable sun dial. Sundial watch is also available.
Sun dials are becoming more and more common in garden décor. Various designs and formats are available for the garden sundials to add a more artistic look to your garden.
