Fellow diallists, While scanning a catalogue of geological products I found several items which are sun-related. They may or may not be of interest.
Wards Geology 1999 catalogue Just about everything is designed for education and to meet curriculum requirements. Item 36 H 4260 Astrolabe Handy for measuring declination, altitude, and asimuth of planets, stars, the moon, and locations on the earth, the astrolabe functions as an inclunometer to measure strike, dip, and slope of geologic features. Instructions are printed right on the sturdy plastic instrument. Size 7" X 6" Set of 15 $US125.00 The photo shows a quadrat pivoted near the junction of the two radii (probably exactly at the junction!) with two sighting peep holes on the upper edge. A line embossed into the stand tells you the altitude of the quadrat. The stand pivots on a circular base, presumably graduated 0-360 degrees. It is not an astrolabe in the sense we know it. More like as astronomical quadrat. Item 80H0150 Mini Sun Tracker Uses solar power to tell the sun's direction. Two solar cells in a plastic A-frame power the apparatus that turns on the compass base to indicate the sun's direction. Size 3" diameter X 2 3/4" high. $US14.95 Educational device to show kids where the sun is. I guess that it would be too complicated to just look! Or to set up a dead simple sun-compass with a vertical rod gnomon in the centre of an oriented circular protractor. Oh well, why do it simple when you can do it complex! Item 36H4410 Suntracker Trace the position of the sun in relation to the earth. Relate the sun's path to the seasons, measure the sun's altitude and azimuth, and plot the sun's apparent path for any time of the year on the clear plastic 12" hemisphere. Comes complete with instructions and wax marking pencil. $US59.05 A bit more complex that the mini above. I won't even attempt to describe it. A maker's name just visible is Hubbard. (Hopefully not L. Ron) Ward's contact details if you are interested PO Box 92912 Rochester NY 14692-9012 USA Phone 1800 962 2660 Web site www.wardsci.com I have not looked at the web site. There may be photos of these things there. May the sun keep shining on your dials, John
