SUNDIAL SECTIONS:

Sundials Home

History of Sundials

Why the Sun Dial keeps time

Developing and Making Sundials

Sundial Materials

Sundial Hour Lines Lay out

Sundial "Furniture"

Declination Lines of Sundials

Portable Sundials

Interesting Sundials of the World

SUNDIAL MATERIALS - Page 9

There are four direct vertical sundials, one for each of the cardinal points of the compass north, east, south and west. They lie perpendicular to the plane of the horizon and they must face directly toward the cardinal points. They must also be made for the place in which they are to be set up. Each sundial is limited as to the number of hours the sun will shine upon it. Except for the few months of summer between the equinoxes (when the sun is north of the equator) the sun will not shine upon the north sundial between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The east sundial will show the time from sunrise to noon; the west, noon to sunset; the south from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Few walls or other upright objects face the true north, south, east, and west points of the horizon; therefore these sundials are usually combined on one block forming what is known as the pillar sundial. The pillar sundial will show the time from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. It can also be made to show the time of sunrise and sunset. This sundial deserves a prominent position and ideally meets the requirements of a large formal garden. Such sundials were often placed in the town square,

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