Sundial at Scienceworks, 1989

This bright yellow sundial was erected to mark the opening of the Planetarium at Scienceworks in August 1989.
Commissioned by the Museum of Victoria Board, it was manufactured by Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), a Melbourne-based engineering firm.

Attention to detail during the construction process ensured the sundial was not merely a decorative ornament, but a fully functional timekeeping device.
Tanya Hill, senior curator of Astronomy at Museums Victoria, was enlisted to provide advice to ensure that the metal structure not only adorned the landscape aesthetically, but also served its practical purpose as a sundial with precision and accuracy. A series of adjustments and refinements were required to guarantee it accurately tracked time.

Museums Victoria selected the sundial as the landmark feature to complement the building for several reasons. Firstly, numerous horological items (such as clocks, watches, sundials and other time measurement devices) are held in the museum's technology collection, so it seemed a fitting choice. Secondly, the lines and angles of a sundial provided an appealing shape that blended well into the architectural landscape and adapted well to becoming a piece of public art. Most importantly, the sundial delivered a unique educational experience, and the opportunity for observers to witness firsthand the wonders of science - on a very large scale!