Millennium Timespace Sundial - Gosport
The pole in the middle serves as the gnomon (the part providing the shadow) of the sundial. The large Roman numerals do not denote the time; this is given by the black lines in the blue paved area. The small plaques at the end of these display the 'sun time' which, owing to the slightly irregular orbit of the Earth round the Sun, can differ from clock time by up to 16 minutes either side. (The sundial also differs from the clock by one hour during British Summer Time)
The Time-Space also indicates the date. The megaphone-like object on the pole forms a spot of light when the sun shines through it, which at noon, 14 times a year, shines onto a plaque on the twelve o'clock line. These 14 plaques are one for the first of each month and one each for the equinox dates of 21 June and 22 December.
Around the periphery of the Time-Space in mosaic form are comments regarding important dates in Gosport's history.
Millennium Timespace Sundial - Gosport
The pole in the middle serves as the gnomon (the part providing the shadow) of the sundial. The large Roman numerals do not denote the time; this is given by the black lines in the blue paved area. The small plaques at the end of these display the 'sun time' which, owing to the slightly irregular orbit of the Earth round the Sun, can differ from clock time by up to 16 minutes either side. (The sundial also differs from the clock by one hour during British Summer Time)
The Time-Space also indicates the date. The megaphone-like object on the pole forms a spot of light when the sun shines through it, which at noon, 14 times a year, shines onto a plaque on the twelve o'clock line. These 14 plaques are one for the first of each month and one each for the equinox dates of 21 June and 22 December.
Around the periphery of the Time-Space in mosaic form are comments regarding important dates in Gosport's history.