The Purpose of the Human Sundial Project
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The human sundial, also known as the analemmatic sundial, is more than just a public timepiece—it is a vibrant intersection of science, art, and communal engagement. Its design invites direct participation, transforming the abstract notion of timekeeping into a tangible, shared experience.
As digital devices have largely taken over the practical role of telling time, the construction of a community human sundial serves a deeper and multifaceted purpose. By bringing people together around a physical, interactive structure, it cultivates curiosity, fosters education, and celebrates our enduring relationship with the sun and the passage of time.
What is a Human Sundial?​​
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A human sundial, also known as an analemmatic sundial, is a unique and interactive type of sundial designed so that a person acts as the gnomon—the part that casts the shadow. Instead of a fixed stick or post, the user stands on a specific point on a marked surface, and their own shadow indicates the time.
Unlike traditional sundials with a fixed gnomon (the part that casts the shadow), an analemmatic or "human" sundial invites a person to become the gnomon themselves. The layout consists of a large, flat horizontal surface, often with hour markers arranged in an elliptical pattern. At the center of this ellipse is a date scale—a line running north-south—which indicates where a person should stand on any given day of the year.
Here’s how it works: As the sun moves across the sky, the position of its shadow changes based on both the time of day and the time of year. The analemmatic sundial cleverly accounts for this by having the human gnomon stand at different points along the date line. When you stand on the correct spot for that day, your shadow falls across the ellipse and points to the current hour.
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(click on the "Education Resources" tab then on the heading "Types of Sundials" for a more indepth description.)
Our Services
The Human Sundial project, also known as an analemmatic sundial, is an outdoor activity where a person's shadow indicates the time of day. It utilizes a person's shadow as the gnomon, pointing to hour lines on an elliptical dial laid out on the ground. This interactive project combines elements of science, math, and physical activity, making it a popular educational tool and a unique garden feature.
The Human Sundial project, also known as an analemmatic sundial, is an outdoor activity where a person's shadow indicates the time of day. It utilizes a person's shadow as the gnomon, pointing to hour lines on an elliptical dial laid out on the ground. This interactive project combines elements of science, math, and physical activity, making it a popular educational tool and a unique garden feature.
Whether you are organizing a community festival, educational workshop, or public gathering, our human sundials offer an innovative way to engage and entertain attendees, while also promoting an understanding of astronomy and timekeeping.