An educational monument, comprising a designated geographical area accessible to a general public, a first structure having a first face positioned to receive a solar light beam, an aperture formed through the first structure for projecting the light beam at predetermined times and, a second structure positioned to receive the light beam at a first predetermined time. A third structure positioned to receive the light beam at a second predetermined time. Wherein a transition of the light beam reflects a change in the seasons and an alignment of Earth illustrating a physical representation of the transition at a plurality of successive predetermined times, each respective predetermined time being the same hour on a different day. Wherein a plurality of ellipses are scaled from the receiving wall, accurately representing the scaled orbit of the planets.

A celestial instrument as a memorial sun dial or star clock has a flat plate body or a spherical body that includes two hemispheres facing one another and spaced apart by a circular gap allowing sunlight to pass through the gap in the instrument. A planar date ring containing graphics surrounds the flat plate or the sphere. Upper and lower gnomons are rotatably secured to the plate or to the hemispheres. A stand includes a holder for a latitude arm that supports the gnomons. When the gap is placed in alignment with the ecliptic, sunlight can pass through a gap parallel to the plate or through a lens within the spherical body focusing a spot of light onto a display surface. A pointer on a rotatable shadow arm indicates the time on a 24-hour clock face.

A celestial instrument as a memorial sun dial or star clock has a flat plate body or a spherical body that includes two hemispheres facing one another and spaced apart by a circular gap allowing sunlight to pass through the gap in the instrument. A planar date ring containing graphics surrounds the flat plate or the sphere. Upper and lower gnomons are rotatably secured to the plate or to the hemispheres. A stand includes a holder for a latitude arm that supports the gnomons. When the gap is placed in alignment with the ecliptic, sunlight can pass through a gap parallel to the plate or through a lens within the spherical body focusing a spot of light onto a display surface. A pointer on a rotatable shadow arm indicates the time on a 24-hour clock face.

An adjustable sundial assembly includes a base, a saddle slidably connected to the base to move in an arc, a housing adjustably coupled to the saddle, and an equatorial sundial attached to the housing. Movement of the saddle relative to the base and/or the housing relative to the saddle calibrates the sundial to a local latitude at which the sundial is positioned.

An adjustable sundial assembly includes a base, a saddle slidably connected to the base to move in an arc, a housing adjustably coupled to the saddle, and an equatorial sundial attached to the housing. Movement of the saddle relative to the base and/or the housing relative to the saddle calibrates the sundial to a local latitude at which the sundial is positioned.

A miniaturized apparatus for tracking the apparent motion of the sun comprising a light mask, a pixilated image sensor, and an image processing unit, wherein sunlight transmitted through the light mask allows the miniaturized apparatus to make time, latitude, direction, and date measurements. A method of making a miniaturized apparatus for tracking the apparent motion of the sun comprising the steps of providing a light mask, providing a pixilated image sensor, providing an image processing unit, and resulting in a miniaturized apparatus for tracking the apparent motion of the sun.

An adjustable sundial assembly includes a base, a saddle slidably connected to the base to move in an arc, a housing adjustably coupled to the saddle, and an equatorial sundial attached to the housing. Movement of the saddle relative to the base and/or the housing relative to the saddle calibrates the sundial to a local latitude at which the sundial is positioned.

An adjustable sundial assembly includes a base, a saddle slidably connected to the base to move in an arc, a housing adjustably coupled to the saddle, and an equatorial sundial attached to the housing. Movement of the saddle relative to the base and/or the housing relative to the saddle calibrates the sundial to a local latitude at which the sundial is positioned.

In one embodiment, a reflecting surface, a gnomon and a dial are arranged so that rays from the sun are reflected toward gnomon such that its projected image is visible on dial. The projected image moves across the dial in response to the movement of sun across the sky, thus providing some indication of time and season. Other embodiments are described and shown.

In one embodiment, a reflecting surface, a gnomon and a dial are arranged so that rays from the sun are reflected toward gnomon such that its projected image is visible on dial. The projected image moves across the dial in response to the movement of sun across the sky, thus providing some indication of time and season. Other embodiments are described and shown.