TIME

KEEPING
● The history of timekeeping devices dates back to when
ancient civilizations first observed astronomical bodies as
they moved across the sky.
● Gradual improvement through series of new inventions.

Continuous processes
( Sundial, Water clocks, Hourglass, Planisphere)

Mechanical
processes

Oscillatory
processes
 SUNDIAL
● Stell you what time it is depending on
A device that can
where the Sun casts its shadow on the device.
● A horological device.
● Indicates the time of day only.
 HISTORY OF
SUNDIALS
● The earliest design of the sundial dates as far back
as 3500 BC.
● By the 8th century BC, more precise
devices were in use.
● Humans were telling time from shadow-lengths
at an even earlier date, but this is hard to verify.
 WORKING
MECHANISM
● Tells the time of day by the apparent position of the Sun in the
sky.
● It consists of:
- Flat plate (the dial)
- Gnomon
● Gnomon casts a shadow
onto the dial with varying
position of the sun
throughout the day.
Let’s see few
unusual sundials
Water
sundial
The oldest true sundial-Egyptian shadow clock
World's Largest Sundial – Samrat Yantra in Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Make your own sundial

● Understand sundials : https://mysundial.ca/

● Make sundials : https://www.blocklayer.com/sundial
Understanding Planisphere: A
Comprehensive Guide
Introduction to planisphere
● In astronomy, a planisphere is a
star chart analog computing
instrument in the form of two
adjustable disks that rotate on a
common pivot.
● Used to know time in night.
● Depicting the stars visible in the sky
at particular time and location.
● Conversely, people can tell night
time, date and events comparing the
position of stars of the night sky
and planisphere.
History

● The astrolabe, an instrument that has its origins in Hellenistic

astronomy, is a predecessor of the modern planisphere.
● The first planisphere was a 1624 chart from German
astronomer Jacob Bartsch.
How planisphere works ??

● Consists of a circular star chart.

● Attached at its center to an opaque overlay having clear window.
● Only a portion of sky visible at any given time.
● Chart and overlay are mounted so that they are free to rotate about common axis.
So, How can you use a planisphere?
All you have to do is to turn the wheel until you've aligned your date with
the time of night you want to look. Then the stars and constellations in
view on the wheel are the same as those above your head.
Create your own planisphere ?

https://in-the-sky.org/planisphere/index.php
Thank you!!