Polar Sundial Kit

Polar Sundial: is a sundial in which the dial plate is set along the East-West direction and inclines so that it is parallel with the polar axis. The standard polar pointing gnomon is thus also parallel to the dial plate.

The polar sundial is a universal sundial and can be used anywhere in the world. All you have to do is position it correctly and it will tell you the time. The hour lines for this sundial are not laid out quite as easily as those of an equatorial sundial. Their spacing varies with time.

Figure 1 shows the Kit that you will use to make your own polar sundial. This Kit is actually easier to assemble than the Equatorial Sundial Kit. Just print it out on card stock or glue it on to cardboard. Cut it out with scissors. Follow the few simple instructions and you're done.

Figure 1: Polar Sundial Kit (CAD)

We have made up two kits so that you can build a polar sundial for the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. All you need are scissors, cardboard, glue and tape. The dial is a lot of fun to make and would be a great science project. If you would like to download a PDF file of the "Polar Sundial Kit" just open the door that works for you. 

Northern Hemisphere	Southern Hemisphere

When you have completed the sundial all you have to do is set up and it will tell you solar time. Figure 2 shows you just how easy this is. All you have to do is point the gnomon to the north or south celestial pole. Make sure that it is perpendicular to the dial plate.

Figure 2: Polar Sundial (CAD)

Here's what the sundial will look like once you have finished making it. It's located in the Northern Hemisphere and positioned for a latitude of 50°.

Northern Hemisphere - September - 2:00 P.M.

Happy Dialling!