This is a remarkable and unique sundial, actually a sun-cage which traps the 'motion' of the sun throughout the seasons, all in the palm of your hand. The spindles are thicker for the HOURS and a little thinner for the HALF-HOURS which makes reading the time easier. I received a free sundial kit; although no instructions came with it, the video is more than enough to explain how the sundial should be assembled; basically it's applying the upper and lower disk into the snug cage so they line up with the East and West cage pivots. One needs to be careful in applying a little glue between the upper and lower disk to not get it all over the place. Also, there is a 'protractor' designed into one side of the blue cage. It's not really necessary for full functionality but if you want to use it, make sure it is 'up', i.e. on the green disk side of the cage. The nice touches that make it very useful are the little compass and level, which make the solar time as accurate as possible. By watching the video with the model in hand, Gray has made it stunningly clear why the sun sets at different times throughout the year, why the poles have 24-hour nights and 24-hour days during their summers and winters; also why the days on the equator are boringly regular, 6 am and 6 pm sunrise and sunset. Ounce per ounce, and inch-per-inch this suncage, sundial is a great scientific instrument that will explain, amuse, and impress kids of all ages.
Thank you
This is a remarkable and unique sundial, actually a sun-cage which traps the 'motion' of the sun throughout the seasons, all in the palm of your hand. The spindles are thicker for the HOURS and a little thinner for the HALF-HOURS which makes reading the time easier. I received a free sundial kit; although no instructions came with it, the video is more than enough to explain how the sundial should be assembled; basically it's applying the upper and lower disk into the snug cage so they line up with the East and West cage pivots. One needs to be careful in applying a little glue between the upper and lower disk to not get it all over the place. Also, there is a 'protractor' designed into one side of the blue cage. It's not really necessary for full functionality but if you want to use it, make sure it is 'up', i.e. on the green disk side of the cage. The nice touches that make it very useful are the little compass and level, which make the solar time as accurate as possible. By watching the video with the model in hand, Gray has made it stunningly clear why the sun sets at different times throughout the year, why the poles have 24-hour nights and 24-hour days during their summers and winters; also why the days on the equator are boringly regular, 6 am and 6 pm sunrise and sunset. Ounce per ounce, and inch-per-inch this suncage, sundial is a great scientific instrument that will explain, amuse, and impress kids of all ages.