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An instrument for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style on a graduated surface.

Dial

An instrument for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style on a graduated surface.

A kind of portable sundial, consisting of a metal ring, broad in proportion to its diameter, and having slits in the direction of its circumference.

Ring Dial

A kind of portable sundial, consisting of a metal ring, broad in proportion to its diameter, and having…

This dial features a clock face which is the part of an analog clock that displays the time through the use of a fixed numbered dial and moving hands. In its most basic form, the dial is numbered 1-12.

Watch and Clock Dial

This dial features a clock face which is the part of an analog clock that displays the time through…

The chief advantages of the horizontal sundial are that it is easy to read, and the sun lights the face throughout the year. All the hour-lines intersect at the point where the gnomon's style crosses the horizontal plane. Since the style is aligned with the Earth's rotational axis, the style points true North and its angle with the horizontal equals the sundial's geographical latitude λ. A sundial designed for one latitude can be used in another latitude, provided that the sundial is tilted upwards or downwards by an angle equal to the difference in latitude. For example, a sundial designed for a latitude of 40° can be used at a latitude of 45°, if the sundial plane is tilted upwards by 5°, thus aligning the style with the Earth's rotational axis.

Horizontal Dial

The chief advantages of the horizontal sundial are that it is easy to read, and the sun lights the face…

A Memograph is a clock that is designed to make a loud sound at a specific time. The primary use of these clocks is to awaken people from their sleep in order to start their days in the mornings, but can also be used for short naps; they are sometimes used for other reminders as well.

Memograph Clock

A Memograph is a clock that is designed to make a loud sound at a specific time. The primary use of…

A pixy named Thomas alarmed that a human has just invaded his lawn by jumping over Thomas' wall.

Pixy and a Man

A pixy named Thomas alarmed that a human has just invaded his lawn by jumping over Thomas' wall.

In polar dials, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned parallel to the gnomon-style. Thus, the shadow slides sideways over the surface, moving perpendicularly to itself as the sun rotates about the style. As with the gnomon, the hour-lines are all aligned with the Earth's rotational axis. When the sun's rays are nearly parallel to the plane, the shadow moves very quickly and the hour lines are spaced far apart. The direct East- and West-facing dials are examples of a polar dial. However, the face of a polar dial need not be vertical; it need only be parallel to the gnomon.

Polar Dials

In polar dials, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned parallel to the gnomon-style. Thus, the shadow…

"A form of Sun-dial that is as god to-day as any dial for determining noon." -Bodmer, 1917

Modern Sundial

"A form of Sun-dial that is as god to-day as any dial for determining noon." -Bodmer, 1917

In the common vertical dial, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned vertically; as usual, the gnomon's style is aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation. As in the horizontal dial, the line of shadow does not move uniformly on the face; the sundial is not equiangular.

Vertical South Dial

In the common vertical dial, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned vertically; as usual, the gnomon's…