Of the 101 things that play in Peoria, the Pekin Illinois Sundial in Mineral Springs Park is listed #59, and billed as the World's greatest sundial in Pekin, Illinois.  Even Google Maps marks the Pekin Sundial.  The Pekin Park District says: "picturesquely located in the Sunken Gardens in Mineral Springs Park, this unique sundial tells the hours before or after noon and the highest point of the sun on a given day. More interesting information is available on the earth, sun, planets and latitude and longitude at the site."

The Peroria Journal Star interviewed Hentry Cakora, now 79, who built the dial using his family business, Tazewell Machine Parts and convinced the Pekin Park District to provide land for its construction in the Sunken Gardens of Mineral Springs Park.  It's easy to spot on Google Maps just south of Court Street near the park's Lagoon that from spring through fall offers a pedalboat rides.

Cakora who knew about the sun's motion and was good at mathematics created a complex set of sundials.  The main sundial is a horizontal dial about 6 feet tall of burnished steel, surrounded by hour marks on the ground.  But if you're there near noontime there are extra treats.  At the base of the sundial is a thin upright triangle split down the middle allowing it to cast a narrow beam of light toward the noon mark.  Then there is a pole just north of the dial with two flat nodi about 12 inches in diameter, each having a hole in the center.  The lower nodus casts a shadow that each hour falls on an analemma that allows correction for the sun's irregular "Equation of Time".  Charts explain this to the observer as well.  The upper nodus casts its shadow on a noon mark analemma, with small stakes to indicate the soltices and equinox.

Nearby is a planet. It is part of a planet trail that starts from the Park's nearby fountain.

Read more at: https://www.bordersundials.com/the-worlds-greatest-sundial-the-pekin-sundial-mineral-springs-park-illinois/

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Last Updated: 25 February 2017

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A Letter to NASS regarding the IYL-2015 and the Literary Competition "Words and Light"

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Last Updated: 05 April 2018

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SOLART2 by artist MA2FUNESCO has declared 2015 the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL-2015). For sundialists, the inauguration of SOLART2 on the June 2015 solstice may be the highlight. SOLART2 is the largest IYL-2015 artistic sundial project in Europe. It is located in Rivesaltes at the northern entrance of Perpignan, France.  It was initiated in 2013 as a strong symbol of sustainable development. Artist MA2F (Marc-Andre 2 Figuères) is constructing the sundial with an incredibly large gnomon created from a double metal bar with numbers silouhettes cut into the structure. The dial is meant to illustrate the flow of matter and energy, projecting a continually changing shadow of numbers onto the dial face during the progression of solar time. The edges of the gnomon are painted red "as a visual value and mastery of light". You can see a video of the dial at: http://ma2f.com/pages/solart2.php

The International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL-2015) is a global initiative adopted by the United Nations to stress enhanced global awareness of and increased education in the science and technologies of light are vital for addressing challenges such as sustainable development, energy and community health, as well as for improving the quality of life in both developed and developing countries .... With UNESCO as lead agency, IYL-2015 programs not only promote light in the modern world, but celebrate milestone events in light and optics. Project videos can be seen at: http://www.light2015.org/Home/About/Resources/Videos.html

Bust of Ibn al-Haytham made by artist Ali Amro and commissioned by 1001 Inventions for the UNESCO IYL-2015Opening IYL-2015 Nobel laureates, international dignitaries, leading scientists and representatives from governments, industry and academia were part of the 2,000 guests at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris that witnessed the launch of a global campaign titled 1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham. This celebrated the scientific achievements of the renowned 11th century scientist Ibn al-Haytham and his works in optics and light including: 

• The Light of the Moon, The Light of the Stars, 
• The Rainbow and the Halo, 
• Spherical Burning Mirrors, 
• Parabolic Burning Mirrors, 
• The Shape of the Eclipse, 
• The Formation of Shadows, 
• Discourse on Light, as well as his masterpiece, 
• Book of Optics.  

He invented the dark chamber “Albeit Almuzlim” which has the Latin translation of “camera obscura”-   the device that forms the basis of photography.  For more about Ibn Al-Haytham and his 1001 Inventions, go to: http://www.1001inventions.com/ibnalhaytham

Read more at: http://www.light2015.org/Home/Event-Programme

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Last Updated: 05 April 2018

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Amelia Peabody Sundial - Dover Town Library photo: Maureen Sullivan (Wicked Local Dover)Although Amelia Peabody died in 1984, her legacy and interest in sundials continues. In 1920 she moved to Dover, Delaware, and began raising thoroughbred horses. Ultimately she purchased more than 800 acres in Dover, becoming its largest land owner. She built three houses on her Powisset Farm, three other houses on other properties, and another called the Sun House at 145 Powisset St. in Dover.

As Eleanor Tedesco reports in the Wicked Local Dover on-line news, “The Sun House reflected her interest in heat generated by the power of the sun and was the first of its kind in New England. But the house failed to reach its goal of heating the building with the sun’s heat.” But true to its name, a graceful sundial in the shape of a Nautilus shell decorated her yard.

Eleanor Tedesco continues, “The present owners of 145 Powisset St. sought help from the Dover Historical Commission about restoring the house, but found that the house had to be demolished. They replaced the Sun House with an entirely new building. In the process the present owners offered Amelia’s sundial to the town of Dover. The Dover Historical Commission accepted their offer.”

“The restoration and relocation of the sundial was carried out by Boy Scout Paul Krusell, as his project to become an Eagle Scout. He was aided by Scouts Ben Barry, Daniel Berry, Charlie Friesen, Seth Novitch, Nick Novitch, Curt Pfannenstiehl and Harry Thomas; and non-Scouts Jake Heinlein and Harry Thomas....The sponsors of the project were the Dover Historical Commission and the Dover Parks and Recreation Department with Paul Tedesco, Dover town historian, serving as mentor.”

“Team Leader Paul Krusell and his team members organized the removal of the sundial from the town garage where the Dover Historical Commission [had it stored] to its new site on the grounds of the Dover Public Library … They also restored the sundial to its original form by following photographs and seeking outside professional help as needed. The boys landscaped the site and, by negotiating with the Natick Memorial Monument Company, installed a small granite marker honoring Amelia Peabody.”

Read more about Amelia Peabody's Sundial at http://dover.wickedlocal.com/article/20140913/

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Last Updated: 25 February 2017

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