William J. Daciuk wrote: > > how would one have > to modify the hour line equation for horizontal dials to take into > account the way the refraction of water? > Also, has anyone tried this before? > > Any advices would be appreciated, and thank you. > > All best, > > Bill Daciuk > Swarthmore PA USA 39 54 N, 75 21 W
Yes, I have made some small models of refraction dials and I also have incorperated the procedure for calculations in my computer programs. In 1993 all the members of De Zonnewijzerkring ( The Dutch Sundial Society ) got an example of such a dial, made in the bottum of a small block of perspex, dimensions 5 x 5 cm x cm and 2 cm thick. This was at the 15th anniversary of our Society. If you want to make an outdoor dial of rather big dimensions ( to impress the neighbors as you write ) you will have the problem that the surface of the water will not keep quiet if it is a little windy and you won't see anything on the bottum. In history such dials have been made in a silver cup, to be filled with water ( or wine if you prefer ). Fer de Vries.
