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A generic antique reproduction sundial bought without consideration for it's exact positioning, like those often sold in garden centers, is worthless as a time keeper. For a sundial made for its exact lat & Long the answer is about two minutes. If you want one made see: http://www.merlinsundials.co.uk/ Or if you want to make your own see: http://www.Amazon.com/Clock-Accurate-Customized-Location-Northern-Hemisphere/dp/0879612460. I made my own and it's easier than it sounds. However a larger one used with correction charts could be accurate to the second. See: http://www.sunlit-design.com/infosearch/sundialaccuracy.php?indexref=1 In fact up until the turn of the 19th cent. the French railways still used what they called heliochronometers rather than clocks.
What else can I help you with?
Does the angle of a sundial change the time?
A sundial has to be positioned correctly in order to give you a good estimate of the time.
Why does data have to be reliable and accurate?
most of the time you would want it to be accurate and reliable but sometimes it doesn't it.depends on what the subject is
What glassware provides the most accurate volume?
The glassware that provides the most accurate measurement of volume is the measuring cup. A glass measuring cup has lines on it to give an accurate reading.
What intrument to measure length of time?
its definitely not a clock...or a sundial...its a metronome!
What is the most accurate time keeper?
AnswerAll digital clocks are perfectly accurate! A strontium atomic clock developed by scientists at the University of Colorado is supposedly more than twice as accurate as the cesium atomic clock (the old "most accurate") was.Atomic clocks are the most accurate clocks that are available to the general public. To date, the most accurate clock made is the so-called quantum logic clock, which is accurate to about one second in 3.7 billion years.
Where are the sundial most accurate?
In the sunlight.
Why is your sundial inaccurate in the morning and very accurate in the afternoon?
If the sundial is correctly aligned (at Polaris) with a nomon angled to the same amount as your latitude. Then the time it shows will be accurate (showing solar time - GMT adjusted for your longitude). Assuming it is a proper sundial and not a garden ornament.
When is sundial not working?
A sundial is not accurate when it is cloudy, rainy, or at night when there is no direct sunlight to cast a shadow. Additionally, if the sundial is not properly calibrated for its location or if it is moved, it may not accurately tell time.
What two practical disadvantages of sundials compared with clocks?
A sundial doesn't work at night A sundial doesn't work when the sun is hidden - by clouds, buildings, etc. A sundial only works at the latitude it is designed for - a sundial built for Ecuador woudl not be accurate in New Zealand.
Why does the portable sundial need a compass?
The compass on a portable sundial helps the user align the sundial accurately north-south, which is crucial for it to give accurate time readings based on the sun's position. By pointing the sundial's gnomon (the part that casts a shadow) towards true north using the compass, the sundial can accurately indicate the time.
Why is the sundial most useful in the summer?
Sundials are most useful in the summer because the sun is higher in the sky, casting a more defined shadow on the sundial's face. This allows for more accurate time readings compared to other seasons when the sun's angle is lower and shadows are longer.
What is the purpose of the sundials device?
The sundial device was and is a very accurate tool of measuring units of time. The sundial devices uses the sun to pinpoint exactly what time it is because of where the shadow falls.
Why is a sundial not a reliable way of telling the time?
A sundial relies on the position of the sun to cast a shadow, meaning it only works during daylight hours. It is also affected by factors such as the season, latitude, and obstacles blocking sunlight, making it less accurate than a clock.
What are two other sundials besides horizontal dial?
Two other types of sundials are the equatorial sundial and the vertical sundial. The equatorial sundial has a dial plate that is parallel to the equatorial plane, allowing it to be accurate at all latitudes. The vertical sundial has a dial plate that is perpendicular to the ground and faces south, making it suitable for mounting on vertical surfaces like walls.
How do you calibrate a sundial?
The gnomon of a sundial is cut to a certain size depending on the latitude of the sundial's location. If the gnomon is not of the correct size, it can be compensated for by raising or lowering the lower edge of the sundial until all times are accurate. Calibration is fairly simple. Using a precise time measurement, when it is noon, go outside and position the sundial so the shadow of the gnomon is on noon on the sundial. Check it again at 1 pm, and adjust as needed.
Could you use a sundial to measure the time it takes to boil an egg?
Yes, but it would be difficult, as the markings on a sundial must firstly be measured very accurately (the markings are not evenly spaced) and tend not to show particularly low figures. However, theoretically, it would be possible - just find an accurate enough sundial.
What is a sentence with the word sundial in it?
I have a sundial in the garden.The sundial were the earliest form of clocks.
