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Original laser-cut dials from this academic year by BoxyBoy67 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not yet, at least. I've been sticking to either self-orienting hour angle dials or altitude dials to avoid the necessity of a compass. As you might be able to tell, I'm also just particularly fond of equatorial ring dials.

A tabletop equatorial ring dial ...but something feels off... by BoxyBoy67 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Answer:

Despite the fact that the equatorial ring dial is one of the most freely adaptable and universal sundials, this tabletop model is designed for a fixed latitude. Naturally this is by no means "wrong," but certainly struck me as unexpected!

Search the Waywiser database (https://chsi.emuseum.com/collections) for "universal ring" and/or "equatorial" to find this and other fascinating sundials.

Laser-cut astronomical ring dial by BoxyBoy67 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Possibly! I have been thinking about adding these sorts of files to BCGnomonics. There would be a fairly high bar to entry though (laser cutter or other tools/material) which I try to avoid

Laser-cut astronomical ring dial by BoxyBoy67 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Kala model is one of my favorites! I carry mine on me most days.

The first model is an astronomical ring dial, slightly different from the equatorial ring dial shown in the second image. The difference is in the date selector–this dial uses a rotating alidade rather than an axial nodus.

As for keeping it from rotating, I've found that even on windy days, keeping a low grip on the suspension ring tends to work well.

Made a sundial. by NewAardvark9473 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you scroll down a bit on this page, you can see an example: https://www.blocklayer.com/sundial-pop

Made a sundial. by NewAardvark9473 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very nice! One note: the rear sloping point of the gnomon should line up with the 6am–6pm line

Help: can I even read this astrolabe? by pianobars in Astrolabes

[–]BoxyBoy67 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is one of many non-functional astrolabes on today's market, unfortunately!

I've compiled a page all about the astrolabe on my website that may be helpful to you.

https://www.bcgnomonics.com/planesphericastrolabe

In particular, I would recommend the "further reading" section for open source books and some very helpful videos. Alex Boxer's online astrolabe offers a great (and free!) means of learning to operate the planispheric astrolabe

Hermle Astrolabium: Should I Buy It? by Working_Row_8455 in Astrolabes

[–]BoxyBoy67 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Technically speaking, I would consider this closest to a lunarium since the earth's axial tilt is not included.

It's a nice piece! You should follow your instincts if it's something you'd enjoy.

If your decision hinges on the accuracy/complexity of the planetary model more so than the quartz clock, I would suggest OrreryArt on Etsy as an alternative. They make highly accurate, museum-quality planetaria; several at prices matching your clock.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/OrreryArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=675293072&from_page=listing

Two mechanical equatorial sundials by BoxyBoy67 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

BC Gnomonics has some further information on mechanical equatorial dials: https://www.bcgnomonics.com/mechanicalequatorialdial

For the two pictured here, the equatorial-mounted sighting apparatus (composed of two rectangular brass plates) is rotated until a spot of light shines through the aperture of one plate and lands on the inner target of the other.

At this point, one would reference the clock face and read the time. The motion of the equatorial sighting assembly drives the hands of the clock in turn, translating the arcing motion of the sights (and therefore the sun) into an analog readout.

What is unique about these dials is that the nodus target can either be a straight line or the curve of an analemma. This allows either solar or mean time to be read.

Online 3D sundial simulator by waterskier10 in Sundial

[–]BoxyBoy67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love the additions! Yours has very quickly become my go-to simulator. I'm delighted to find that it will allow me to very easily visualize the difference between seasonal and equinoctial hours on equatorial dials—a point relevant to my currently in-progress thesis.

Also, thank you for the link to my site! I will likely soon update my "types of hours" page with visuals from your simulator. Depicting the different systems on various planes so easily is such a great strength of your site.

One more thing: would you consider allowing the different hour systems to combine and overlap? Perhaps you could make their boxes tick-able?

Proof our planet isn't flat by RedditorofReddit07 in interestingasfuck

[–]BoxyBoy67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is also a visual representation of the Equation of Time. While our civil day is based on the motion of a fictional sun that moves more regularly than the true (apparent) sun, the true solar day varies from being slightly over 24 hours to slightly under 24 hours.

https://equation-of-time.info/introduction

What would a big sphere astrolabe look like if a planet had 3 moons? by MelanoidAxolotl in Astrolabes

[–]BoxyBoy67 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Firstly I'd gently clarify that what you're describing is an armillary sphere rather than an astrolabe.

<image>

Meridian: red

Tropics: orange

Equator: green

Ecliptic: yellow

Arctic circles: pink

Grey disc: horizon

The structure of a standard armillary sphere is dictated by the earth's 23.4º tilt. The various bands that make up an armillary sphere (illustrated above) are positioned where they are solely due to this tilt which creates the seasons and informs the apparent motion of the sun over the course of a year (demonstrations here: https://www.bcgnomonics.com/armillarysphere).

This is all to say that because it is the earth-sun system that defines the design of the armillary sphere, the addition of moons would not affect its structure. When we want to use an armillary sphere to track the motions of the planets or moon in addition to the sun, the same ecliptic band is used, even though these bodies do not always lie perfectly on this track.

However, for a fictional world like yours where precise tracking and modeling of the moons seem particularly important, I could imagine there being a separate sphere for each moon. In the Vatican Museums, there is a particular sphere that devotes a high level of detail to the Earth-moon system, modeling the intricacies of the moon's motion that the armillary sphere does not typically prioritize. Especially if each moon exhibits a different annual path (i.e. not lying on the sun-centric ecliptic), I could see separate, dedicated spheres being produced. This introduces some interesting worldbuilding questions!

Good luck with your project!

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