The North American Sundial Society held its 17th annual Sundial conference 18-22 August at the University of Washington, hosted by Dr. Woodruff Sullivan, professor of astronomy.

The conference covered a wide range of topics including two presentations on stained glass sundials, the 17th work of La Hire and his successful "La Gnomonique ou L'art de tracer Des Cadrans" ("Gnomonicks or The Art of Shadows of Sundials") and dialist-surveyor and one of the founding members of the Acadamie Royale,  Jean Picard.

The methods of taking photos of the sun over months of time, called Solargraphy, was presented by Art Paque, and then there were talks on the operation of cylindrical sundials, sundials that can show standard time, an update on the Mars sundial, and discussions on solar alignments, heliodons and stair shadows.

This year's Sawyer Dialing Prize was given to Helmut Sonderegger. "In recognition of his ongoing development and support of the dialing software Sonne, and his many years of leadership in his national society." His acceptance talk was on one of the first Copernican followers, Rheticus.

Many of these presentations will become Compendium articles for dialists to read at their leisure.  Why not join NASS now and read the details in the upcoming issues for youself?

[photo: Puma Sundial, Seattle. Viewed by NASS dialists.  Designed by Woody Sullivan and dedicated by the parent council 2000-2001 to the students, faculty, and staff of University Prep]

A nearly three-century old brass sundial was stolen in the early overnight hours of August 9 from the grounds of Avington Park in Itchen Abbas, near Winchester (England).  Local officials say the dial is large enough it would have required several people to move it.  The dial is valued at over £100,000 and is very distinctive.

Anyone with information regarding its whereabouts is strongly encouraged to contact police:  you may contact DC Roman at Winchester police station on 101, via the website at www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/contact/message_officer.htm or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111

One of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Pantheon in Rome is an enduring testament to the power and glory of ancient Rome.  At the same time, it has also always posed something of a mystery.  The only source of natural lighting is a thirty-foot diameter hole at the very top of the hemispherical dome, often referred to as the "oculus".

Working since 2009, scholars Guilio Magli and Robert Hannah discovered that at midday on the equinoxes, a shaft of circular light shines through the oculus and illuminates the Pantheon's entrance.  As it turns out, the size and shape of the beam almost exactly matches a semi-circular stone arch set above the doorway.  Its been suggested that the positioning of the beam of light would have had significant ceremonial significance if the arrival of the Roman emperor was timed to coincide with the times of favorable alignment.

This discovery adds yet another example of technical prowess to the long list of engineering achievements which have long been regarded as a hallmark of the Roman era.

[Note: For other building alignments check out Meridiana-Solar Lines in the Church here on our NASS website links]