Hila Sundial Hour Line Calculator

Created with VBscript by Wayne Campbell

This page requires MS Internet Explorer
Netscape does not support VB script.

This calculator displays sundial hour line angles for any latitude.

The angle of the gnomon is the same as the location's latitude.

Link to calculator only - best page to print from.

Constructing a paper or card Sundial

Construct a sundial from heavy card.

The sundial can be of any size, the angles are important.

Below is an image of a  sample sundial, it is designed for latitude 45 degrees.

The base for this one is 14 cm X 25 cm.

The gnomon is angled at 45 degrees and is glued to stand vertically.

To create your own sundial use the hour line angle calculator at the top.

Print out the results, draw the angles on a card, similar to the image above.

Cut a gnomon at the same angle as your latitude then tape it standing on the 12 Noon line.

Find a place in the sun, point the gnomon north and you have a working sundial.

A permanent sundial can be constructed from wood or other durable materials.

An Oval Sundial

A sundials face can be any shape.  The hour lines must be accurately drawn.

Click here for a PDF file of the above oval sundial.
Oval Sundial PDF

Print the dial and glue it to cardboard.
This sundial is designed for latitudes close to 45 degrees N.
The gnomon for this sundial has a base length of 10 cm
The angle is 45 degrees.
Glue the gnomon to the 12 hour line.

Link to the Hila Binary Sundial

Return