equinox solar declination

[John Carmichael]

Hi all:   I'm getting this message out a little late, but tomorrow on the equinox,  I'd like to check the solar declination of the nodus's shadow. (Of the Flandrau heliochronometer). I want to see if the center of the shadow is centered exactly on the 0 degree line at the exact moment of equinox.   My astronomical calendar says that the equinox occurs here (in Tucson AZ) at exactly 4:05 pm.  But since the declination is changing so quickly this time of year, I'm wondering if the shadow will be exactly on the 0 dec. line in the morning too.   Does anybody know what the solar declination is at around 9:00 my time?  (6 hours and 55 minutes before the actual equinox).  I wonder if I'll be able to detect this small amount?   Thanks  John   John L. Carmichael Jr. Sundial Sculptures 925 E. Foothills Dr. Tucson Arizona 85718 USA   Tel: 520-696-1709 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: <http://www.sundialsculptures.com>