Nocturnal (instrument)
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A nocturnal is an instrument used to determine the time based on the position of a certain star in the night sky. Sometimes called an "horologium nocturnum", it is closely related to the sun dial. A nocturnal is typically a navigational instrument. Knowing the time is important in navigation for both calculating longitude and tides, and some nocturnals incorporate tide charts for important ports.
In the northern hemisphere, all stars will appear to rotate about the North Star (known as Polaris) during the night, and their positions, like the progress of the sun, can be used to determine the time. The positions of the stars will change based on the time of year. A nocturnal is a simple analog computer, made of several dials, that will provide the time of day based on a time of year and a sighting of Polaris and some other common star.
The most commonly used reference stars are the pointer stars from the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) or Kochab from the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor). The star Shedar in Cassiopeia may also be used, since it is on the opposite side of the sky from Ursa Major.
A nocturnal will have an outer disc marked with the months of the year, and an inner disc marked with hours (and perhaps half hours) as well as locations for one or more reference stars. It will also have a pointer rotating on the same axis as the discs. The axis, or pivot point, must be such that a star can be sighted through it; usually a hollow rivet is used. Since the instrument is used at night, markings may be exaggerated or raised. Often the inner disc has a diagram of the necessary constellations and stars, to aid in locating them.
The inner disc is rotated so that the mark for the chosen reference star points to the current date on the outer disc. The north star is sighted through the center of the device, and the pointer arm is rotated to point at the chosen reference star. The intersection of the pointer arm with the hour markings on the inner disc indicates the time. The instrument must be held upright, and should have a handle or similar hint as to which direction is down.
[edit] References and External links
- Sundial Primer - Build a Nocturnal.
- British Museum - Nocturnal from an astrological compendium
- Simulation - Video and description, also, lots of devices
