Universal equinoctial ring dial
Universal equinoctial ring dial for all latitudes. Standard dial (see related terms) except for the following details:-
The suspension ring is missing. The reverse side of the meridian ring is blank and the inner-rim hour scale is unnumbered. There is a date scale on the bridge, a declination scale, no zodiac scale, and the equinoxes are marked at 20 March and 24 September. The sliding pinhole gnomon is very ornate and has indexes that extend across the width of the bridge bars. The ends of the bridge are adorned with acanthus and palm shell designs. The unusually large bridge on this dial allows for dates to be shown to the day (despite the relatively small size of the instrument) and the solar declinations to two seconds of arc. The style of decoration suggests a French origin.
For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.
The suspension ring is missing. The reverse side of the meridian ring is blank and the inner-rim hour scale is unnumbered. There is a date scale on the bridge, a declination scale, no zodiac scale, and the equinoxes are marked at 20 March and 24 September. The sliding pinhole gnomon is very ornate and has indexes that extend across the width of the bridge bars. The ends of the bridge are adorned with acanthus and palm shell designs. The unusually large bridge on this dial allows for dates to be shown to the day (despite the relatively small size of the instrument) and the solar declinations to two seconds of arc. The style of decoration suggests a French origin.
For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.
For more information about using images from our Collection, please contact RMG Images.
Object Details
ID: | AST0309 |
---|---|
Collection: | Astronomical and navigational instruments |
Type: | Universal equinoctial ring dial |
Display location: | Not on display |
Creator: | Unknown |
Date made: | 1700-1750; 1700-50 |
Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection |
Measurements: | Overall: 4 x 135 mm |
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