The Sundial by Amy Barad

original template by Ray Lam, Fall 97

revised template by Rachel Shorey and Steve Bergen 2/9/98

First Base

Finding the basic who, where, when facts. This was done for Ms. Carlson and Mr. Holister in October 97.

Second Base

Expository Writing Paragraphs for Ms. Snyder and Mr. Carey in December 97.

Third Base

Creative Writing Paragraphs for Ms. Snyder and Mr. Carey in March 98.

Home Plate

"Guestimating" and "Analysis" Paragraphs for Ms. Lucenta and Mr. Toubman in May 98.

Left Field Center Field Right Field

Graphics from Electives: Pictures drawn for Ms. Swayze in Visual Arts, Mr. Bergen in CP1 and a movie for Ms. McElroy in Drama (too big to post on web, but we are making our own CD-ROM!

Sources

The sundial is a circular object, that is typically composed of stone or wood. It has many numbers which indicate the time of day. Also, there is something called a gnomon (the device used to cast a shadow), which the style (the piece which pointed to the time) connects to. These are attached to the base of the sundial. For a sundial to be useful, it must be made in the location in which the owner will use it. To use most garden and stationary sundials, you must measure the hour angle from the meridian. In the case of other kinds you measure the sundial's altitude above the horizon. As well as telling time, some sundials also include the month, when a solstice is, and when an equinox is. Mainly, the stone sundial is the size of a bird bath (including the bird bath's pedestal), except for the fact that the dial plate is tilted at a minus ninety degree angle of latitude. The sundial is in fact important in many ways, one being that our modern-day clock is based on it. Around 4000-3500 B.C. the first model of the sundial was invented, in Egypt. However, other sundials were created after 3500 in other countries such as Greece. Before 4000 B.C., the Egyptians needed a device, or tool which would tell time. An ingenious man- the inventor- soon came up with their solution: the sundial. The sundial was adapted from inventions that were made before it, one being the obelisk. A few thousand years after the sundial was invented, it was improved in 700 B.C.. The hemicycle- a circular bowl with a gnomon in the center- was invented in 300 B.C. Again, the sundial triggered other inventions, such as the clock, the hemicycle, and the pocket sundial. It definitely affects our lives greatly. The clock is based on it. Imagine waking up, having no clue what-so-ever of the time. It was and still is extremely important.