University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North side of Morehead Planetarium in the garden near Franklin Street.
Description:
A 35 foot diameter horizontal dial of terrazzo with inset bronze hour lines and Roman hour numerals. The bronze gnomon edge is 24 feet long and at the tip stands 14 feet tall. In the base of the gnomon is a circular opening, holding a large inset bronze hour glass. In the terrazzo at the dial center is an inset bronze sun graphic with wavy spicules; this inset contains a US Coast and Geodetic Survey Triangulation Station marker. A plaque gives correction for EOT and longitude.
This large monumental dial constructed in 1956 was a gift of John Motley Morehead III.
Keeping the dial in good condition is not an inexpensive affair. In the University of North Carolina Requests to the Board of Governors for Repair and Renovations in the Fall of 2002, a request of $100,000 was made for Sundial Structural Repairs of the Morehead Planetarium dial.
General Information:
Inscription:
Owner: University of North Carolina
Inscribed, "It is always morning somewhere in the world. Today is yesterday's tomorrow."
