Cube Sundial

Cube Sundial: a set of dials on the surface of a cube. There may be up to 6 dials, but more often 5 e.g. N, S, E, and W, together with a horizontal on the top surface.

Now that you can design and build a horizontal sundial and vertical direct north, south, east and west sundials, you can put them all together to create a cube dial. The sun shines on two or three faces of the cube at once and all the illuminated dials indicate the same time. This can be a portable or monumental dial.

Figure 1: Cube Sundial (ZW2000/CAD)

All these dials are designed for a specific latitude. However, a portable cube dial can be made into a universal dial that can be used at any latitude. This is done by placing a joint in the pedestal so that the cube can be pivoted on the north -south axis. The dials can now be tilted until the gnomons point toward the celestial pole. A small compass is installed in the pedestal base to help orient the dial.

The dials making up the cube dial can be of simple design and can result in a magnificent monumental dial. If it is elevated to any extent then it is likely that you would not include the horizontal dial. If it is at ground level then all the dials can be included on a massive base.