John, that sounds like a great idea. It is always interesting to learn that what you thought was an "original" idea turns out to have been considered seriously by knowledgeable people before you thought of it. It lends credence to your idea.
The information from Mark Gingrich is very interesting and I hope he can give his presentation in September, or at least have someone give it. It would be nice to create some form of gnomonics with the structure. I would be glad to help in measuring or whatever. Robert Hough ShadowMaster Tucson AZ 32.36W 111.13N ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Carmichael" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Sundial List" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 7:31 PM Subject: Solar Telescope Sundial > Hello all: > > While visiting the mountain of Kitt Peak to prepare for the NASS tour visit, > I was immediately struck by the similarity between the above-ground > triangular structure of the > McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope and a sundial's gnomon.I have been studying > the idea of placing timelines of a sundial on the > ground beneath the giant McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. This huge > above-ground > triangular structure appears to have all the correct angles necessary for it > to serve as a sundial's gnomon. I would like to know the dimensions of this > structure (height, length, width) > in order to make a drawing of the proposed sundial. I have a feeling that > if this project is ever done, it would make it the largest sundial in the > world. Here are the approximate dimensions of the structure: The vertical > tower is 100 ft. tall. The diagonal portion that extends from the > heliostat tower to the ground is about 200 ft. if not exactly that. The > cooling panels that cover the structure are 34' x 8' according to the > references I have checked, so we can conclude that each side of the > diagonal structure is 34 ft. wide. I think this would be a wonderful > addition for visitors. The timelines could be > done in many different ways. They could be painted inexpensively or > professionally done using colored concrete or terrazzo with inlays. There > are other marking methods as well. > > I've begun to make contacts with the people at Kitt Peak who could authorize > this fun project and everyone is very interested. Any suggestions > from The Sundial List are welcome. Those of you coming to the NASS > conference will get a chance > to see the telescope inside & out. And I'm trying to get its designer, Dr. > Pierce, to give us a personal tour of the telescope himself. > > Here are some great sites that describe the The McMath-Pierce Solar > Telescope Facility: http://www.nso.noao.edu/nsokp/new_mp/cphistory.htm > http://www.nso.noao.edu/lrp/lrp01-05_final.pdf > www.noao.edu > > 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> > > > - -
