There is a widespread misconception that a traditional clock is depicted in a photograph currently doing the rounds on social media. The object depicted in the picture is a digital sundial, which tells the time by analyzing the position of a shadow cast on a surface by the sun. Digital sundials are only accurate during daylight hours, between the hours of ten in the morning and sixteen in the afternoon, and their readings need to be adjusted dependent on the latitude of their location. Because sundials depend on the sun’s motion, it is essential to be aware that there is a difference between sundial time and standard clock time. Because of the Earth’s orbit and the tilt of its axis, the sun’s apparent movement does not follow a completely regular pattern. On the other hand, contemporary clocks are made to function at an average rate corresponding to the sun’s motion throughout the year.
The photograph led to the discovery of a similar image on a website, which was determined to be a 3D-printed digital sundial. This was discovered after a reverse image search was performed on the photograph. After conducting additional research on the internet, I discovered that sundials of this type are sold commercially in various dimensions and hues. It is essential to remember that digital sundials typically operate in intervals of 20 minutes and need to adjust their settings based on the user’s latitude. Some videos can be obtained on the internet demonstrating how these digital sundials operate.
Analog and digital Sundials are considered some of the first forms of timekeeping technology. In conventional sundials, the angle of the line or triangle that indicates the hour is determined by the sun’s position in the sky. On the other hand, digital sundials employ objects meticulously engineered to take the form of numbers to throw shadows that represent the current time. These devices do not require electricity to function and do not contain any moving elements or components. The form of the sundial was mathematically optimized to ensure that only the correct rays of sunlight could get through at the appropriate angle and time.