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Projects

THE EAST PIER ANALEMMATIC SUNDIAL

Sundial Completed August 2006

August 2006 Looking Northwards
August 2006 Looking Northwards
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august_2006_looking_south.jpg
August 2006 Looking South
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Sundial Layout
Sundial layout
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The Equation of Time
The equation of time
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The Instruction Plate
The instruction plate
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The Months of the Year
The months of the year
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The OMD Stone
The OMD Stone
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The Analemmatic or human sundial differs from ordinary sundials in three respects:

  • It is elliptic in shape, rather than circular
  • It has hour points, as distinct from hour lines, to indicate the time of day
  • It does not have a fixed metal or masonry gnomon for the purpose of throwing the all important shadow

This function of providing the shadow is carried out by the observer, who stands erect with his or her feet astride the centre line of the Calendar scale, on the appropriate date of the month, and reads the time by the sun as indicated by the direction of his or her shadow

The Sun Time, thus found, can be converted to Irish Standard Time by following the instructions given on the adjoining bronze plates. It will be seen from these instructions that, in making the time conversion, the following factors will be allowed for:

  • The Equation of Time, which compensates for the irregular speed of the earth around the Sun, is laid out in graph form and its seasonal value in minutes will have to be added to, or subtracted from, the Sun Time according to the time of year, as indicated
  • The Difference in Longitude between Greenwich and Dun Laoghaire, which is equivalent to 25 minutes in time and is always added to the Sun Time
  • The addition of one hour to the Sun Time reading when Summer Time is in force

Historically the construction and use of early sundials go back to the dawn of civilisation. In fact they were Mankind's very first scientific instruments, predating even the invention of the wheel.

In an educational context, understanding the performance of a sundial will further the knowledge of the measurement of time and simplifies a basic apprehension of the Solar System.

The East Pier sundial was commissioned by the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company as a feature of artistic and scientific interest for all who use the amenities of the Harbour, and to mark the successful restoration of the East Pier

Sundial Installation July 2006

July 2006 Looking Northwards
July 2006 Looking North
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July 2006 The East Side
July 2006 The East Side View
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July 2006 The West Side
July 2006 The West Side View
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July 2006 The OMD Stone
July 2006 The OMD Stone
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  • Architectural Consultants: Shaffrey Associates
  • Solar Calculations: Captain O M Deignan
  • Graphic Design: Brian O'Connor
  • Bronze Castings: CAST Ltd
  • Masonry Work: Bobby Blount

Sundial Delivered

Photo: Thumbnail Brief Sundial Description
Sundial description
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Photo: Thumbnail Showing Monthly Standing Plates
Descriptive plate monthly standing points
106.51 Kb
Photo: Thumbnail The Equation of Time
Equation of time
102.19 Kb
Photo: Thumbnail Mid shot view of Sundial pieced together
Sundial mid shot view point
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Photo: Thumbnail Long shot view of Sundial
Sundial unpacked
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Sundial Setting Out July 2005

Thumbnail: Photo of Initial Set-up 'Finding North' Owen Deignan in white overalls view 1
Sundial view 1
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Thumbnail: Photo of sundial analemmatic simpistic diagram
Sundial Analemmatic simpistic diagram
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Thumbnail: Photo of Initial Set-up 'Finding North' Owen Deignan in white overalls view 4
sundial view 4
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Table of Contents

 

CURRENT HARBOUR WEATHER

  • Date: 2010-09-02
  • Time: 19:12 hrs GMT
  • Tide Height: 2.968 m
  • Wind Bearing: 141 °
  • Wind Direction: SE
  • Wind Speed: 10.9 kts
  • Beaufort: 4
  • Wind Gust: 14.7 kts
  • Air Temperature: 15.9 °
  • Humidity: 77 %
  • Pressure: 1018.1 hPa
  • Rainfall: 0.1 mm
  • Sun Hours: 10:35 hrs:mm
  • Solar Radiation: 4 W/m2
  • South East (SE) 141°
HARBOUR INTERNET DOWN
from: 1st Sep 2010 to 2nd Sep 2010
published: 1st Sep 2010

Please note that due to circumstances beyond our control the Din Laighaire Harbour Company are unable to receive or send emails. It is not known at this time when system will be back. Apologies for any inconvenience caused

Webcam data temporarily suspended
from: 30th Aug 2010 to 1st Sep 2010
published: 30th Aug 2010

Webcam streaming data to the Dun Laoghaire Harbour website is temporarily suspended. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. Apologies for inconvenience caused

The East Pier Heritage Audio Guide Tour
from: 26th Aug 2010 to 26th Oct 2010
published: 30th Aug 2010

TwinTrackMedia, in conjunction with Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, launched this 14 stop audio guide on Thursday 26 August 2010. Another 8 stop audio guide published by the DLRCoCo in 2008 is available at http://www.iopener.ie/dunlaoghaire.html

ANNUAL HARBOUR SWIM POSTPONED TO SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2010
from: 26th Sep 2010 to 26th Sep 2010
published: 2nd Sep 2010

This event has now been re-scheduled for Sunday 19 September 2010

Improvements to Dun Laoghaire Town
from: 18th Aug 2010 to 31st Dec 2010
published: 18th Aug 2010

Work has commenced on civil improvements to paving on Crofton and Marine Roads. Work will soon resume on landscaping the recently covered area of the railway - The Metals

Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival
from: 7th Sep 2010 to 12th Sep 2010
published: 30th Aug 2010

MOUNTAINS TO SEA - dlr Book Festival The book festival not to miss. If you did miss it in 2009 please see link below, on which podcasts of many of the public addresses are available