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sundial
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
sundial Diagram of a sundial labeled with its main parts: a circular dial plate marked with Roman numerals and hour lines, a raised triangular gnomon with a style casting a shadow to indicate the time, and an arc showing the sun's path across the sky.
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barometer. Antique Barometer with readout. Technology measurement, mathematics, measure atmospheric pressure
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Clock face of Big Ben.
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sundial: References & Edit History

Additional Reading

Albert E. Waugh, Sundials: Their Theory and Construction (1973), is the standard reference for the theory and construction of all major types of sundials. Sharon L. Gibbs, Greek and Roman Sundials (1976), covers the history of Greek and Roman sundials. D.A. King, β€œMizwala,” in The Encyclopaedia of Islam, new ed., vol. 7, fascicules 117–118 (1991), pp. 210–211, covers the history of Islamic sundials. Steven A. Lloyd, Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570–1750 (1992), is a beautiful work (physically and intellectually) on early European sundials with an extensive bibliography.

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Add new Web site: Indian Academy of Sciences - Sundials: Ancestors of Our Clocks (PDF). Aug 31, 2026
Add new Web site: Pennsylvania State University - CiteSeerX - Another design for sundials (PDF). Apr 03, 2025
Add new Web site: American Mathematical Society - The Shadow Knows: How to measure time with a sundial. Aug 27, 2024
Add new Web site: Academia - Sundials. Dec 12, 2023
Adjusted placement of interactive media. Sep 08, 2023
Add new Web site: Digital Commons at USU - Constructing a portable sundial (PDF). Jun 01, 2023
Add new Web site: History of Watch - Sundial Histrory - First Time Keeping Device. Dec 30, 2022
Corrected display issue. Jul 09, 2019
Add new Web site: History of Watch - Sundial Histrory - First Time Keeping Device. Jun 26, 2019
Add new Web site: World History Encyclopedia - Ancient Timekeeping. Dec 08, 2016
Add new Web site: History of Science Museum - Epact - Sundial. Jul 31, 2016
Add new Web site: World History Encyclopedia - Ancient Timekeeping. Jul 31, 2016
Added animation of a sundial. Jun 01, 2016
Add new Web site: Journey in Time - What is a Sundial? Feb 15, 2011
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Sundials. Feb 15, 2011
Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - History - How did ancient civilizations use sundials to tell time? Feb 15, 2011
Added image of Islamic sundial. Feb 10, 2011
Article revised. Jun 28, 2002
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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