How to Tell Time on a Sundial
Before the advent of clocks, those in ancient times used sundials to tell time. Sundials use shadows cast by the sun to give an estimate of the time. This tutorial will teach you how to best read time on a sundial.
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Instructions
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Make sure that the sundial is pointing north and that it is sitting on a flat surface.
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Make sure your gnomon, the subject that casts the shadow on your sundial, is adjusted to your latitude. This will ensure that you get the most accurate time.
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Once you have checked those things, watch the shadow your gnomon has cast.
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The base of your sundial should have markings for each hour of the day. By looking at the shadow, you should be able to tell the time.
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If it is Daylight Savings Time, you will have to add one hour to your time.
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Tips & Warnings
A sundial is merely an approximate estimate of time. Since it is based on the sun and not a standard time, like real clocks are, the time is not exact. Regardless, the time on your sundial should be within 20 minutes of the actual standard time given on a clock.
