NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

The Sundial Primer

Equatorial Sundial

6 6

5 7

4 8
3 9
2 10
1 12 11
 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

The Sundial Primer

Equatorial Sundial

6 6

7 5

8 4

9 3
10 2
11 12 1
 Winter
Solstice
Solstice
Summer

A triangular post is required for Equinox

latitudes below 24°.

The straw is positioned on the post
with its end at the 24° line.

The Sundial Primer

Pole

30
50
60
70

40
Celestial

Place end of straw here.

Mark straw at your latitude.
Mark this end of the straw as it will be
placed on the guide to the left.

70
60
50
30

40
 scale. Full scale is best. Do not
Print templates on card stock or glue thinner paper on to cardboard. Glue the dial

correct height, fold on lines and

triangle on dial base. Use guide

on this sheet to mark the straw.
A triangular post is needed for
latitudes below 24°. Cut out to

Print all pages at the same

faces together and tape to base using one of the layouts shown below. The small

tape together. Tape on to

triangles can be cut out and used as guides. You can attach the paper base to a

use "Fit to Page".

piece of wood using tacks. Use a wood dowel or straw, 3/16" in diameter or less,
to make the gnomon. A second straw can be inserted into the first if a longer one
is needed. Mark the straw length using the appropriate guide with tape placed
towards the cross end. Cut the cross at the centre of the dial using a craft knife.
Using a pencil make a hole into which the straw will fit snuggly. Push the straw
through the back of dial plate until tape touches the dial. Tape the straw from the
front. Place the end of the straw on the latitude line for your location. Secure the
straw with tape.
6

6
7

30

40

50

60

70
8
8

Select the correct dial layout for

9

Hemisphere
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

placed on the guide to the left.

10

10
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
The Sundial Primer

Mark this end of the straw as it will be

The Sundial Primer

Southern
Mark straw at your latitude.
Equatorial Sundial

Place end of straw here.

11
11

Equatorial Sundial

12
12

Celestial

70
60
50

40

30
Pole
1
1

The Sundial Primer

your location.
with its end at the 24° line.
2
2

The straw is positioned on the post

latitudes below 24°.
Equinox
3
3

A triangular post is required for

Summer
Solstice
4

Solstice
Winter
5

5
6

6
7

7
Solstice
Winter
The Sundial Primer

8
8
Summer
Solstice
Equinox

Hemisphere
A triangular post is required for
9

9
latitudes below 24°.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
The straw is positioned on the post
10

10
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Northern
The Sundial Primer

The Sundial Primer

with its end at the 24° line.

Equatorial Sundial

11
11

Equatorial Sundial
Celestial
30

50
60
70
40

Pole

10
12

20
12

1
1

Place end of straw here.

Mark straw at your latitude.
Mark this end of the straw as it will be

2
2
placed on the guide to the left.

3
3

4
70

60

50

30
40

5
6

6
Place end of straw here.
Mark straw at your latitude.

20
10
Mark this end of the straw as it will be placed on the triangular post.

0
Straw length for latitudes below 24°.
The Sundial Primer