Calgary  

 Sundial: 953
State/Province:  Alberta Country:  Canada
Dial Type:  Armillary Sphere Condition:  Excellent
  Latitude and Longitude: 51° 2.676' N  114° 1.865' W
Location:
  • Located in the Calgary Zoo, in the Dorothy Harvie Gardens at the south side of the Enmax Conservatory. There is an admission fee.
 
Description:
  • This large armillary sphere stands about 2m tall and 1.5m wide. The dial is marked by roman numerals etched completely through the equatorial band. Large holes form the hour moment, with smaller holes for the half and quarter hours. The meridian ring also serves as support for the dial. In addition are the arctic and antarctic rings. The design of a slot mechanism allows the equatorial ring to be rotated by 15° for Daylight Saving Time. However there is no plaque for the Equation of Time correction to civil time.

    The dial was commissioned by the Calgary Horticultural Society as part of their 100th anniversary celebrations. Four metal benches are placed around the dial, each bearing designs representing one season of the year.
 
General Information:
  • Owner: Calgary Zoo
  • Designer: Nathan Smith of Sunsmith Design, and Robert Dodds
  • Builder: Nathan Smith of Sunsmith Design, and Robert Dodds
  • Construction Date: 2008
 
References: Web Links:
  • The armillary is similar to other dials by the same artist Nathan Smith at Summerland, BC (# 952) and at the Oso Negro Cafe in Nelson, BC (#584). The likeness of the dials appearance is both artistic and the desire to provide daylight saving time adjustment.

Last Revised: 2019-06-02 17:05