Monterrey Sundial

On a recent trip to Monterrey, Mexico we happened to pass by this sundial in Fundidora Park. It was just outside of the historical archive of Nuevo Leon.

Considering its outside of a historical archive building I'm surprised I can't find more information about it.  Although, by the looks of the gnome, it was probably originally built when the park was a metal foundry.

All around the park and nearby businesses there are sculptures and remnants of the early beginnings of Monterrey.

Solar Days Getting Shorter

As you may know the sun is starting to be out less. It's probably not very noticable yet but it soon will be. As we get into July and August it will be painfully apparent that there is less light to do stuff by that needs to get done.
Then starting in August the orbit of the planet will do something that none of us really like. High noon, the actuall middle of the day, will quickly become earlier and earlier effectively chopping out twenty-five minutes from the available daylight in the evening and putting it up front on top of having a shorter total span of daylight.
In effect this causes the sun to rise about the same time every morning for a couple months while the sun sets an hour earlier by the end of that same span. At least where I live in north central Texas and similar latitudes.
The overall effect to me is that I'll have a booger of a time getting everything watered in the evening while there is still light.

Sundial

One of the most overlooked uses of the sun is in keeping time. This is one case where the effeciency is 100%. Ancient people sure didn't overlook it. Not only can you tell time, but you can also tell the time of the year depending on the dial you use. I personally only have one dial, a portable one from Pennsic War. Unfortunately it only works in Pennsylvania and similar latitudes, but it looks great and it's portable.