Queens' College Moondial – Cambridge, England - Atlas Obscura
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Queens' College Moondial

Cambridge University
Cambridge, England

A complicated contraption for telling time by the moon. 

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Old Court of Queens's College Jaszmina Szendrey (Atlas Obscura User)
Old Court of Queens's College Jaszmina Szendrey (Atlas Obscura User)
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The celebrated Queens’ College Moon Dial, often erroneously attributed to Sir Isaac Newton, was painted on an exterior wall at Cambridge University in 1733. In addition to the traditional solar hours, the timepiece has an accompanying table that can be used to read the shadow cast by the light of the moon.

Even with the table, however, a series of four mathematical calculations has to be carried out by anyone wishing to know the time. “The moon’s motion is so irregular that no moon-dial can possibly be accurate, and is to be regarded as providing an exercise in mental arithmetic rather than being an instrument of any practical value,” writes the author of a short booklet on the dial.

Know Before You Go

Check the Queens' College web site for visiting hours. A nominal entrance fee (3.50) is charged to enter the campus via The Visitor's Entrance on Queen Street. This allows you to see the sundial, cross the mathematical bridge, and wander around the campus.

astounding timepieces instruments of science
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Jaszmina Szendrey
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SEANETTA
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Jaszmina Szendrey, mbison, duncbfc, SEANETTA
Published
February 26, 2010
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