In ancient times shadows cast by the sun were used to measure the time of day. The sundial was the device that allowed the telling of time with reasonable accuracy. There are some practical limitations that restrict the use of sundials especially cloudy days and night time. Nevertheless, sundials have been used through the ages to check the performance of other kinds of clocks. The sundial uses the position of the sun to measure time. The most common design is the horizontal sundial on which the sun casts a shadow from its gnomon onto a flat surface. This surface has markings indicating the hours of the day. As the sun travels across the sky, the shadow it creates on the sundial shifts along the hour lines. In order to tell the exact time, the gnomen of the sundial must be oriented toward true North. Although still popular for their functionality, sundials today are most often used for their decorative appeal in garden settings.
Tags: sundial, sundials, sun dial, brass sundial, garden sundial, sun dials
