Universal equinoctial ring dial

Universal equinoctial ring dial for latitudes 0°-90° North. Standard dial (see related terms) except for the following details:-

The dial is for northern latitudes only. The slider is spherical and the degree scale on the meridian ring is divided clockwise [0°]-[90°]. The remainder of the obverse and the reverse sides are filled with a table of latitudes for places in Europe named in Latin, including: 'Venetig (Venice) 45', 'Amstelodamum (Amsterdam) 52' and 'Londinum (London) 52'. There is also an hour scale on the reverse side and inner-rim of the equinoctial ring. Date and zodiac scales are also displayed, but there is no declination scale. The Equinoxes are marked at 20 March and 19 September. The dial has rather crude decoration on its gnomon, stops, bridge ends and supports.

The use of a large number of Latin names for towns is unusual for this type of dial. The list includes the only Latin version of Lisbon (Vlyssipo) in the collection.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.

Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection