Q&A for How to Make a Sundial

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Can I use a flat, circular board instead of a paper plate?

Community Answer

Yes, of course! In fact, the flat, cardboard circles used to put under cakes are perfect for this!

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Question

Can I use a torch instead of sunlight?

Community Answer

No, because a torch does not rotate around the sundial like the earth does around the sun. A sundial use the earth's rotation around the sun like a clock -- when the sun moves, so does the shadow.

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Question

How far should the gnomon be slanting towards the closest celestial pole in degrees if 90 is directly up?

Community Answer

Subtract your latitude from 90 to get the slant degree. I am at 41.25 N latitude, so my sun dial slant is at 48.75 degrees. Rounding off to the nearest degree should work fine.

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Question

Is it best to use "true" north on a compass?

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Community Answer

True North on a compass with not point geographically North, like the sun's shadow at noon would point. This is because the magnetic North pole and the geographic North pole are two different places on the Earth's globe.

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Question

Can I show minutes on a sundial?

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Community Answer

It is not practical to show minutes on a sundial. It would be very tedious and time-consuming to return to the sundial every minute to mark the minute. Also, it would be impossible to fit every single minute of the day around the edge of the sundial.

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Question

For method three, does the size of the circle matter?

Community Answer

No, the size of the circle doesn't matter.

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Question

Can I mark the numbers at an equal distance?

Community Answer

You can use a protractor to mark an hour every 30 degrees. As long as the number 12 and the straw in the middle of the plate are facing north, it should be fairly accurate.

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Question

How do I know if the 6 am and 6 pm lines are horizontal?

Community Answer

Use a ruler, because it will allow you to determine if it truly is a 180-degree angle.

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Question

Could I just measure the distance between the spaces of the first six hours, then just place the pebbles in the correlating spaces for the next 6 hours, cutting the time needed in half?

Community Answer

The angles are different for each hour, so it would be incorrect if you did that.

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Question

How do I find the celestial pole?

Community Answer

Put a stick in the ground and mark the end of the shadow with a rock. Return approximately 20 minutes later and mark the new location of the shadow. True North will be halfway between those 2 points.

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Question

Does the time I put on a sundial matter?

Community Answer

No, but it won’t work once the sun sets! Sundials need the sun in order to cast a shadow. Just make sure that what you write is in the right spot.

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Question

Do the seasons affect a sundial?

Community Answer

Yes, the length of the shadow is affected by the seasons.

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Question

Can I make it inside with my light?

Community Answer

No, you cannot. Indoor light does not move, so the shadow will stay in the same place.

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Question

How do I position my sundial?

Community Answer

you position the sun dial so that one end of the stick is directly in the middle of your base and then slant it to the hemisphere opposite of the one you are in.

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Question

Can I make a small sundial to wear on my wrist or ankle?

Community Answer

It wouldn't work unless you had it oriented correctly. There are sundials that are portable, but you don't wear them on your wrist or ankle -- search for shepherd's dial or cylinder dial.

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Question

How does the latitude affect in making sundial?

Community Answer

The sun is seen from a different perspective depending on your latitude, so the shadow will be in a different place.

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Question

Which side do I slant if I am north?

Community Answer

Slant the pencil towards the north if you are north and if you are south, slant it towards the south.

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