Universal Equinoctial Ring Dial Instructions

A universal equinoctial ring dial is a portable version of an armillary sundial and was inspired by the mariner s astrolabe.

Universal equinoctial ring dial instructions. Standard dial see related terms except for the following details the dial is for northern latitudes only. It was likely invented by william oughtred around 1600 and became common throughout europe. In its simplest form the style is a thin slit that allows the sun s rays to fall on the hour lines of an equatorial ring. It is closely related to the armillary sphere because similar to this it depicts the surrounding firmament with its rings.

A universal equinoctial ring dial sometimes called a ring dial for brevity although the term is ambiguous is a portable version of an armillary sundial or was inspired by the mariner s astrolabe. An universal ring dial first part of the 18th century crafted of brass 9 2 cm in overall diameter. The latitude scale is divided clockwise 0 90. The function of the hour ring turn it into a position rectangular to the meridian ring and then back into the universal sundial ring the universal sundial ring is the queen of all sundials.

I found a universal equinoctial sun ring dial for sale at grand illusions this particular version is about 3in across. The inner rim of the equinoctial ring has an hour scale while the. It comprises two rings namely a meridian ring engraved with scales of latitude and a. A ring dial or two ring universal equinoctial ring dial to give it its full name was a cutting edge scientific instrument in its time which is about 500 years ago.

Universal equinoctial ring dial for latitudes 0 90 north. Its clearly one of the few still being made and appears for sale at a number of different places. This is a relatively example of the classic pendant ring dial useable anywhere on earth and without the need for a compass. A slider moves in the grooved rim of the meridian ring and has a pointer to indicate the latitude.

Standard dial see related terms except for the following details the dial has bracket slides in grooves in the outer edge of the meridian ring and an engraved arrow on the bracket acts as a latitude indicator. A universal ring dial or equinoctial ring sundial. This is a reproduction of a universal equinoctial ring dial invented by the brilliant english mathematician william oughtred 1575 1660 this ring dial is a sundial that in theory can be used universally to determine the time in almost any part of the world.