We’re always a fan of an interesting or unique clock build around here, which often use intricate pieces of technology to keep time such as weights and gears, crystal oscillators, or even a global network of satellites in the case of GPS. While these are all interesting methods of timekeeping, the original method of tracking the sun is often forgotten. With this clock, the sun is the main method of keeping track of time, but unlike traditional sundials it has a number of advancements that let it keep surprisingly accurate time. (Google Translate from German)
While most sundials can only show hours, this one from [leon andré], a retired physicist, has a method for displaying minutes as well. It uses pinholes instead of shadows to keep track of the position of the sun, with the pinhole casting a bright spot of sunlight onto a diagram below. The diagram keeps track of the minutes, and consists of curved lines which help account for the sun’s changing path throughout a typical year. The dial keeps track of local solar time, as any sundial would, but by rotating it along its vertical axis it can be calibrated for the timezone that it’s in regardless of its position.
As far as clock builds go, one that is completely passive like this semi-digital sundial is fairly unique, especially for its accuracy. And, when set to local solar time, it will be the most reliable method of keeping time long-term than possibly any other clock we’ve seen before, as long as it’s not too cloudy outside. On the other hand, it is possible to augment a sundial with some modern technology as well.
Thanks to [Adrian] for the tip!
There is a very clever digital sundial design out there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_sundial
Looking around, there are 3D printable versions.
I might have this one a shot:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1068443
In theory one could use a compound lens for the minutes on top of a larger lens for the hours.
Some optical fiber and it could illuminate an analogue clock face.
Now there’s a project!
Dude, are you a genius? Seriously, not the first time with your comments, I slap my forehead with “that’s brilliant”.
Yeah, it’s not so much a “never thought of it before” but a “now you have something to do” type comment…
Great build. I really like this.
Wow this really great ! Since it’s solar powered (😁) it is very environmentally friendly. Now like all tech the next step is to miniaturize it. Can’t wait for the wrist model.
Very impressive, the only thing that would make it better is to make it entirely out of brass, the clock could last hundreds of years.
Take a look at Purdue Phoenix sundial, much more artistic. It was put up when I went there. Having suffered vandalism it’s still there. The curves in head-crest cause compensation to be always on time. If scaled up it could be to the minute.
It’s a many decades old problem. What time is it in Indiana? We are almost 2 hours off local from solar time!
Indiana… Indiana….. Oh you mean the place that keeps Ohio from touching Illinois 😁
I thought that was Ohio’s restraining order?
A satisfyingly Germanic phrase in the website:
“It is gratifying that the sun has so far strictly adhered to the calculations.”
If anything ever needed a video in 2x speed, this is it.
I have created a human sun dial (calibrated on June 21st) with stones laid out on the lawn in our UK garden. It’s only accurate on that day ! Back to the drawing board for me then. But have realised more sunscreen is required when visiting the southern hemisphere from this fascinating article (-;
A bit of a gamble, that, that the 21st of June will be one of our 3 sunny days per year?