Long time ago, I used to have a sideral clock on the wall in the flat where we lived.
It was made of planisphere map/poster (Sky Publishing.. coloured stars on black background, showing stars down to 5m, from 90N to -30S.. I cant find it any more anywhere) glued on a masonite round plate, and mounted on the shaft of the two-tariff clock mechanism, so it rotated at proper rate, showing constellations that were above horizon. The horizon contour was made of steel wire, hanging in place (with the help of small weight).
I want to make another one now - but the problem is suitable planisphere/map (the previous one was ~1m in diameter).
Anyone knows where to find something similar?
(I found the below image in the corner of one slide, so the details are missing and the whole thing is blurred.. sorry)
Bojan,
Can't help with the map....
I have a Japanese clock (Limited Edition Citizen) where they've used a planetsphere as the background....works pretty well...
About 400mm diameter.
Ken,
This is in principle what I had made then and what I want to do again.. only bigger... and sideral (however sinodic time is also cool to have in one package)
Well, the suitable map will appear from somewhere, sooner or later... we astronomers are patient people
How about cannibalising a Phillips Planisphere - I have an old large one lying around unused, 20 cm diameter map, white stars on dark blue ? You can have it if you like.
My own favorite these days is an iPad app - the Emerald Chronometer "Observatory" clock which shows siderial time, local time, solar time, the zodiac, altitudes of sun, moon and planets and has a nice soft "bong" for the alarm reminiscent of a decent pendulum clock.
The other is the the Emerald Chronometer app which is a mind-bogglingly complex astronomical "watch" for the iPhone.
Star map on the wall - sideral clock, map?
