The Portage Sundial

While visiting Pembroke, Ontario I came across this cool landmark by their waterfront park... The Portage Sundial! This six foot canoeist made from black wrought iron is portaging a canoe who's keel is the sundial's "gnomon" (the part of a sundial that casts the shadow). The hours are marked by pieces of timber, chosen to honour the area's logging heritage. This landmark was created in 2007 by local Pembroke artist Barbara Blackstein with the assistance of her husband, Fred.

Image from Star Walk 2

If you sight along the canoe's keel, you are looking into space directly towards Polaris (the North Star). For it to work, the gnomon must be parallel to the Earth's axis (yay math!).

Now I want one of these for the back yard!