Sundial time

The earth rotates around its own axis constantly, making one rotation every 24 hours. This rotation causes sunlight to shine on different parts of the planet at certain times of the day. The side of the earth that faces the sun is lit up and experiences daytime and the half that is not facing the sun experiences night-time. The earth rotates on an angle of about 23°. From earth, the sun appears to move across the sky, but it is actually the earth that is moving (rotating), changing position in relation to the sun all the time!

The angle of the sun in one location on the earth changes throughout the day. A sundial records these changes in the angle of the sunlight.

Students will explore how the earth rotates and how it rotation changes the angle of the sun, allowing us to measure time. They will attempt to measure passing time using a sundial.