| Description: |
- An interactive analemmatic dial with 6x3 meter major and minor ellipse axes and built of precast concrete, tiles and glass with Roman hour numerals. Dial face markings include Ante Meridiem, Post Meridiem, astronomical symbols for days of week and constellations of the zodiac, compass rose, Sun face, Ursa Major bear constellation with Big Dipper asterism, Polaris solar cell visible at night beneath the noon mark, artistic analemma and artist inscription.
Inspired by the analemmatic dial "Keppel Henge" located at Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, the dial was two years in design and construction, with financial support from Ms. Dotty Blacker of Valparaiso, Florida and the NWFSC Foundation. Dial accessories include 8 and 12 foot gnomon poles with leveling clinometers allowing the dial to be used with precision for demonstration and instruction.
The dial is a focal point for geoscience instruction both in the classroom and the local community. The Science Department at NWFSC offers many courses in the geosciences that benefit from the dial, including Earth Science, Physical Science, Physical Geology, Oceanography, and Astronomy; supports baccalaureate programs in Elementary and Middle School Math & Science Education; and is frequent host to a local astronomy club.
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General Information: | Inscription: | - Owner: Northwest Florida State College
| - Bronze plaques with "The sun now rose upon the right: out of the sea came he, still hid in mist, and on the left, went down into the sea" from Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. A second plaque reads, "Interactive Analemmatic Sundial, Northwest Florida State College 2010."
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- Designer: Dr. Jonathan R. Bryan for scientific design; Ms. Elizabeth Indianos as artist/sculptor
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- Builder: Joe Stanford and staff, Cement Precast Products, Gainesville, Florida
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- Construction Date: 10-Jun
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| References: | Web Links: |
- "The Sundial at Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, Florida, An Instructional Guide" booklet by Jon Bryan, Autum 2010.
Photo credits: Sean Flynn, Web Programmer/Designer
Dr. Benjamin Gillham, Professor of Graphic Design
Ms. Ronda Moronez, Graphic Designer
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727_Florida Northwest State College Sundial.pdf 2147.898 KBytes
