This is a cool sight for lots of reasons
but today I will stay focused on the sun dial.
Haven't you wondered how to read one and do they really work?!
Well, yes they do but some are only decorative;
you must have your latitude to have the angles right for it to be accurate. The pretty ones you can buy for your garden are just that--pretty.
That is why this is so interesting.
Go to Blocklayer to print your own on a piece of paper,
cut it out and fold the center up on the printed lines.
They recommend slipping a stiffener in the 'wedge' that gives the shadow
so I used a piece of 3 x 5 card cut to size and glued in place.
AND IT WORKS!
Just point the triangle to due north
and sure enough, that shadow falls right on the right time!
What a cool experiment;
give it a try-you are never too old to enjoy science!
They also have templates like this so you can 'build' a more permanent sundial. And look at the name of the 'triangle'.
It is called a gnomon (pronounced no-mun)
Who knew?!
I plan on cutting a circle out of wood and wood-burning the hour marks in place for a decorative and accurate sundial for my yard!
Another pair of mitts to add to the pile!
This is knit with gradated yarn so one pair is lighter than the other
but they are definitely a pair!
