Clockwork sun dial or shepherd's sun dial, replica | Hemisferium

People who used to work outside didn’t have a clock, but they did have the sun. A cylindrical sundial, also known as a shepherd’s sundial, is a portable sundial in the form of a upright cylinder. You place the pointer over the correct date, hold or hang the cylinder upright with the pointer facing the sun and read the time at the end of the shadow. Because the sun doesn’t rise at the same time every day, the hour lines run differently throughout the year.

Hemisferium makes replicas of historical scientific instruments. This cylindrical sundial is primarily a decorative and educational object. Another portable sundial from the same series is the ring solar clock, and also the Cappuccino quadrant works with the height of the sun.

Keep in mind that you are reading the sun’s time. In the Netherlands, it is one quarter to one hour behind the clock during winter time, and one to two hours during summer time. You can read more about astronomy in our astronomy knowledge center.