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Types of Sundials

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There are several types of dials, and the following list is by no means exhaustive. Being familiar with what each type offers will give you a better idea which type is good for your space, level of expertise, and budget. The sundial is remarkably versatile, and consequently may be placed almost anywhere that affords a good view of the sky. It is worth noting that sundials, like some plants, simply don’t work in the shade.

• Horizontal dials

The ‘average Joe’ of the sundial world, these timepieces are arranged on a flat plane, with a vertical gnomon to cast the shadow. They are fairly simple to construct, and many ‘how-to’ websites exist that deal with their design.

• Vertical dials

These provide the convenience of viewing the time from a distance, and can be displayed on almost any wall that faces the sun’s general path of activity. Depending on your hemisphere, you’ll want a wall that faces generally north or south.

• Analemmatic dials

These are the most involved as far as construction and planning, but they make a beautiful focal point for a garden with a lot of space. They’re typically built several meters across, and utilize a human shadow as the indicator. Depending on the month of the year, one merely stands at a certain place in the middle of the dial; one’s shadow will fall on the correct hour marker. As the most interactive of sundial types it makes a great conversation piece, and has obvious educational merits as well.

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