Gordon’s Sun Clock
by unbeirrbar
Google Play
EDUCATION
Free
0.0
Rating
0
Reviews
100+
Downloads
13
Views
Description
‘Gordon's Sun Clock’ is essentially a single-hand watch with a dial that changes daily, based on the rhythms of nature and the stars. It shows the position of the sun and the starry sky. It is a new way of displaying time that is not artificial like our normal clocks (with railway time and daylight saving time), but moves in harmony with the seasons.
–– Your view:
In the middle of the screen, you will see a horizontal line. This is the horizon (the surface of the Earth). The pointed triangle in the middle is a spruce tree that you see from a distance (or a church). (You are not looking down on it from above, but standing in front of it.)
If you have not changed the settings (‘View direction: automatic’), you are looking south in the northern hemisphere (and north in the southern hemisphere). Objects on the left side of the screen are located in the east; objects on the right side of the screen are located in the west (reversed in the southern hemisphere). The cardinal directions are shown at the edge of the horizon.
The (light) grey strip below the horizon indicates the (civil) twilight phase. The large, dark grey area symbolises night (including nautical twilight). Objects located in this area are not visible.
On the right edge of the screen, you can see the local time (in digital form), the GPS position of the location as a numerical code (e.g. ‘cri-hs’, which is accurate to approx. 4 km) or a place name (if you have entered one), as well as the current altitude of the sun in degrees in the sky (e.g. 27.6°).
–– Sun:
The sun (at the end of the clock's single hand) moves from left to right (reversed in the southern hemisphere) throughout the day. The further to the left the sun is on the screen, the further east it is; the further to the right, the further west (reversed in the southern hemisphere). The higher the sun is on the screen, the higher it is in the sky.
The sun follows the circular path marked on the screen, which it travels along in the course of a day. The hours are indicated at the edge of the circular path (e.g. ‘12’ o'clock), so that the circular path also functions as a clock face.
On the clock face, for example, you can see how the numbers shift during the time change, but the circular path remains the same. Or: how the legal time in most places differs from the local time, as 12 o'clock is not exactly at the top of the clock face.
–– Moon:
The moon also has an orbit. It is drawn as a light grey circle (without a pointer). Since the moon takes more than 24 hours to complete one orbit, two additional hours (from the previous day) are added in extra light grey. If you ‘live with the clock’, you can clearly see how the moon periodically rises and falls over the course of weeks. You can also observe how it is opposite the sun in the circle position (far away) at full moon, but at the same circle position (close to the sun) at new moon. It is usually not exactly the same position because you are looking from the side (and not from above). The exact same position only occurs during a solar eclipse.
Full moon and new moon are indicated (by the shaded area). New moon is shown for 35 hours (because that is the time during which the moon cannot be seen at all). Full moon is shown for 24 hours. (The sun and moon orbits are recalculated at UTC 00:00.)
Gordon’s Sun Clock is also known as: astronomical clock, horologium, horologion, orloj, astrolabe, astrolabe clock, star clock, sky clock, single-hand clock, solar clock
–– Your view:
In the middle of the screen, you will see a horizontal line. This is the horizon (the surface of the Earth). The pointed triangle in the middle is a spruce tree that you see from a distance (or a church). (You are not looking down on it from above, but standing in front of it.)
If you have not changed the settings (‘View direction: automatic’), you are looking south in the northern hemisphere (and north in the southern hemisphere). Objects on the left side of the screen are located in the east; objects on the right side of the screen are located in the west (reversed in the southern hemisphere). The cardinal directions are shown at the edge of the horizon.
The (light) grey strip below the horizon indicates the (civil) twilight phase. The large, dark grey area symbolises night (including nautical twilight). Objects located in this area are not visible.
On the right edge of the screen, you can see the local time (in digital form), the GPS position of the location as a numerical code (e.g. ‘cri-hs’, which is accurate to approx. 4 km) or a place name (if you have entered one), as well as the current altitude of the sun in degrees in the sky (e.g. 27.6°).
–– Sun:
The sun (at the end of the clock's single hand) moves from left to right (reversed in the southern hemisphere) throughout the day. The further to the left the sun is on the screen, the further east it is; the further to the right, the further west (reversed in the southern hemisphere). The higher the sun is on the screen, the higher it is in the sky.
The sun follows the circular path marked on the screen, which it travels along in the course of a day. The hours are indicated at the edge of the circular path (e.g. ‘12’ o'clock), so that the circular path also functions as a clock face.
On the clock face, for example, you can see how the numbers shift during the time change, but the circular path remains the same. Or: how the legal time in most places differs from the local time, as 12 o'clock is not exactly at the top of the clock face.
–– Moon:
The moon also has an orbit. It is drawn as a light grey circle (without a pointer). Since the moon takes more than 24 hours to complete one orbit, two additional hours (from the previous day) are added in extra light grey. If you ‘live with the clock’, you can clearly see how the moon periodically rises and falls over the course of weeks. You can also observe how it is opposite the sun in the circle position (far away) at full moon, but at the same circle position (close to the sun) at new moon. It is usually not exactly the same position because you are looking from the side (and not from above). The exact same position only occurs during a solar eclipse.
Full moon and new moon are indicated (by the shaded area). New moon is shown for 35 hours (because that is the time during which the moon cannot be seen at all). Full moon is shown for 24 hours. (The sun and moon orbits are recalculated at UTC 00:00.)
Gordon’s Sun Clock is also known as: astronomical clock, horologium, horologion, orloj, astrolabe, astrolabe clock, star clock, sky clock, single-hand clock, solar clock
Expert Review & Analysis
1. What the App Does: Gordon's Sun Clock is a unique time-telling application that presents time not as a standardized, artificial construct, but as a reflection of the sun's and moon's movements across the sky. It visualizes the daily path of the sun and the monthly cycle of the moon, providing a representation of celestial mechanics and their relationship to local time. The app functions as a visually engaging astronomical clock, showing the sun's position relative to the horizon, indicating day and night, and depicting the moon's phase and position. It incorporates geographical location data to personalize the display based on the user's location.
2. Key Features: The app's primary strength lies in its innovative approach to displaying time. Instead of digital or analog numerals, it uses a visually intuitive representation of the celestial bodies' movements. This makes it potentially easier to understand the relationship between time and the natural world. The inclusion of twilight phases adds a layer of detail, showcasing the transition between day and night. The display of the moon's cycle over time is also a valuable feature, demonstrating the moon's phases and its relationship to the sun. The app's ability to adjust to different hemispheres is a thoughtful inclusion, ensuring global applicability. However, the accuracy of the location ("cri-hs" code) seems imprecise, which may limit its usefulness for specific astronomical observations requiring high precision.
3. Use Cases: This app is best suited for educational purposes, particularly for those interested in astronomy, geography, or the history of timekeeping. It can serve as a visual aid for understanding the mechanics of the sun's and moon's movements and their impact on the perception of time. It could be used in classrooms to teach concepts related to celestial navigation, the passage of time, and the differences between local time and standardized time zones. For individuals with a fascination for astronomy, it offers a unique and visually appealing way to track the sun and moon's positions throughout the day and month. Its use as a practical time-telling device is limited, however, due to its unconventional display.
4. Target Audience: The ideal user is someone with an interest in astronomy, natural phenomena, or the history of timekeeping. Educators, students, and hobbyist astronomers would find the app particularly valuable. Individuals who appreciate visually engaging and unconventional representations of information would also likely enjoy it. However, those seeking a precise, practical timekeeping tool would likely find the app less useful due to its abstract and non-standard display of time. The app's design and functionality may not appeal to users seeking a simple, straightforward digital clock.
5. Overall Assessment: Gordon's Sun Clock offers a unique and visually appealing alternative to traditional timekeeping methods. Its strength lies in its educational value and its ability to illustrate the relationship between celestial mechanics and the passage of time. However, the app's low precision in geographical location and its unconventional time display limit its practical usability as a daily timekeeping tool. The imprecise location data is a significant drawback. While the app's innovative approach is commendable, its limited practicality and the lack of further features detract from its overall appeal. A higher rating would be warranted with improvements in location accuracy and the addition of features that enhance its educational value or practical applications. Currently, a 0/5 rating seems overly harsh but a significant upgrade is needed to justify a higher score.
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