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Sundial Hour Lines Lay out

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LAYING OUT THE SUNDIAL HOUR LINES - Page 24

The Signs of the Zodiac are often found on the armillary. They should be placed on the circle representing the ecliptic, beginning at the point where the ecliptic crosses the equator with the Vernal Equinox or Sign of Aries at the west. Thus will the sign of Cancer be at the point P, and the Sign of Capricornus will appear at the point A, and so on. For a more detailed account of the Signs see page 132. Hour Limitations This sundial will show the time from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. Setting the Sundial The twelve o'clock line must lie in the plane of the meridian and the axis or gnomon must be elevated above the plane of the horizon at an angle equal to the latitude of the place. Note: Although the ten major circles of the sphere have been described, it is not necessary to use them all, if the instrument is to be used as a sundial; but it must be remembered that the hour lines are inscribed on the equatorial circle and the Signs of the Zodiac on the ecliptic.

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