| How to Read a Sundial Posted: 10 Feb 2021 12:00 AM PST Sundials have been used to measure time, based on the Sun, for thousands of years. This simple device can be made up of nothing but a flat dial and a gnomon (the "pointer" that casts the shadow), but can still be tricky to read if you're just starting out. By setting up your sundial correctly and completing a few simple calculations, you can synchronize your sundial to clock time and know the hour no matter where you are. [Edit]Pointing Your Sundial - Place your sundial on a flat, horizontal surface. A sundial will only work correctly when it's on a perfectly flat surface, like the ground, a stand, or a table. Place yours down in a safe spot where it won't get knocked down or moved.
- Make sure your sundial will be in direct sunlight all day. This may seem obvious, but it's crucial! If you want to be able to read your sundial from dawn to dusk, keep it out in an open, unshaded area where sunlight can reach it for as long as possible.
- You may notice that some sundials show only 12-hour measurements, since they won't work for the hours that the sun is down.
- Point the gnomon north if you're in the northern hemisphere. Use a compass or look for the North Star at night to find true north. Then, rotate the face of your sundial until the gnomon, or the pin of the sundial, is pointing straight north.
- The 12:00 noon notation is aligned with the gnomon, so it will be pointing north as well.
- Face the gnomon south if you're in the southern hemisphere. If you live below the equator, you'll need to point the gnomon of your sundial towards the south, rather than the north. You can use a compass or look for the Southern Cross constellation to find true south and adjust your sundial accordingly.[1]
- To find the Southern Cross, look for 4 stars shaped like a small kite. The farther south you are, the higher it will be in the sky.[2]
- Use a vertical sundial if you're at the equator. The angle of the sun makes it very difficult to use a traditional horizontal sundial along the equator. Instead, use a vertical sundial and follow the packaging instructions to set it up and point the gnomon correctly.[3]
- At the equator, the sun rises along the eastern horizon and moves straight up, then sets on the western horizon. If you used a horizontal sundial, the shadow would fall mostly west in the morning and mostly east in the afternoon, instead of rotating slowly.
[Edit]Calculating Clock Time from a Sundial - See where the shadow line falls on your sundial. Once you've set up your sundial, take a look at it when it's casting a shadow in the sunlight. Note the line that the shadow's outer edge lines up with and use it to read your sundial like a regular clock.
- You might see different line denotations based on your sundials, but it should be split into even sections by 5 minutes or 10 minutes so you can get an accurate estimate.
- Find the center longitude of your time zone. Your sundial can be off by up to an hour compared to clock time depending on your longitude. To fix this, first figure out how many hours you are ahead or behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is at 0° longitude. For every hour that you're ahead, the center of your time zone will shift by 15° east; for every hour you're behind, the center of your time zone will be 15° west.[4]
- For example, Pacific Standard Time (PST) is 8 hours behind GMT. Multiplying 8 hours by 15° gives you 120, so PST's center longitude is 120° West.
- You can find the current GMT time by searching online.
- Find the distance between|your longitude and the center of your time zone. You can find your own longitude by looking it up online or with a GPS device. Then, calculate the distance from your longitude to the central longitude of your time zone, and note whether you're to the east or west of it.
- For example, Seattle is at 122.3° West longitude. The central longitude of its time zone (PST) is 120° West, so Seattle is 2.3° away from it.
- Add or subtract 4 minutes for every degree away from the center. Now, use your calculation to get a more accurate estimation of the time from your sundial. Multiply the difference between your longitude and the central longitude by 4. If you live west of the central longitude, add your answer to the time; if you live east, subtract it.[5]
- In Seattle, for example, you'd multiply 2.3 by 4 to get 9.2. Since Seattle is west of the time zone's center, sundials in Seattle are 9.2 minutes behind clock time, so you need to add 9.2 minutes to make them equivalent.
- If your sundial reads that it's 1:40 pm in Seattle, then, you'd add 9 minutes to estimate that it's 1:49 pm.
- Why 4 minutes? Since most time zones are 15° of longitude wide, or 1 hour long, you can divide 60 minutes by 15° to see that it takes about 4 minutes for the sun to move through 1 degree.
- Add 1 hour if it's Daylight Saving Time. You'll need to adjust your time even more during Daylight Saving Time, which runs from early spring to mid-fall. Simply add 1 hour to your sundial's time to match it to the clocks during this period.[6]
- Search online to see when Daylight Saving Time starts and ends in your region.
- Calculate the Equation of Time to find the exact time. The length of one day varies slightly on any given day, which can add up to make your sundial's time differ from clock time by as much as 15 minutes. If you want the most exact time estimate from your sundial, adjust your measurement using an Equation of Time table. Search for one online and either add to or subtract from the time as instructed.[7]
- Most calculators require you to enter in your year and longitude or time zone. The calculator will then give you a table telling your how to adjust your sundial time throughout the year.[8]
- If you don't have a sundial, you can make your own with as little as a paper plate and a straw.
[Edit]References (Quick Sum:) To read a sundial, first point the gnomon (or pointer) north if you're in the Northern Hemisphere, or south if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. See where the outer edge of the shadow matches up with a measuring line to get the solar time. To convert to clock time, find out how far away you are from your time zone's central longitude. Multiply the distance, in longitudinal degrees, by 4, then add it to your sundial's time if you're west of your time zone's center, or subtract it if you're east. To make your time even more exact or use a vertical sundial, read on! [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Wear an Oversized Flannel Shirt Posted: 09 Feb 2021 04:00 PM PST Putting on an oversized flannel is a fun, cozy way to spice up your outfit. You can wear it buttoned-up, completely open, or layered over other pieces—the possibilities are endless! We've compiled a few fun ways you can style your oversized flannel shirt to look cool and sophisticated every time you walk out the door. [Edit]Let your flannel stand out with a monochromatic outfit. - This is an easy, everyday look that you can throw on in minutes. Put on an all-black outfit, then throw your flannel on top.[1]
- Jeans and a T-shirt always look great underneath an oversized flannel.
- You can button your flannel up or you can leave it unbuttoned to show off your shirt.
- For a little bit of edge, try wearing black ripped jeans.
[Edit]Layer a printed shirt over your flannel for a fun contrast. - If you're feeling bold, this outfit can take you to the next level. Put on your flannel and button it up, then add a polka dot or striped shirt on top of it.[2]
- If you want to go for a more modern look, try a sweater vest instead.
- Pair this outfit with some skinny jeans and heeled booties.
- Grab a pair of large sunglasses to finish off this look.
[Edit]Throw your flannel over a hoodie to stay warm. - This is an easy outfit to put together when you have nothing to wear. Pull on a hoodie, then put your flannel on top of it for a cool combination.[3]
- Go for a pair of ripped jeans or joggers on the bottom to complete your outfit.
- Add a pair of sneakers or Chelsea boots to this look.
- Throw on a baseball cap to make this outfit even more casual.
[Edit]Tuck your flannel into mom jeans for a casual outfit. - You can wear this look heading out to lunch or hanging with friends. Put on a pair of high-waisted, straight leg jeans, then tuck your flannel into the waistband to define your figure.[4]
- Keep this look casual with a pair of sneakers, or go more streetwear with some heeled boots.
- Accessorize with a small backpack or a fanny pack to hold your essentials.
[Edit]Tie your flannel around your waist to save it for later. - You never know when your arms might get chilly. Put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, then wrap your flannel around your waist to define your figure.[5]
- You can pair this look with wedge heels to make it a little more glamorous, or you can keep it casual with a pair of sneakers or flats.
- Add a pair of hoop earrings and a simple chain necklace to finish off your look.
[Edit]Go out for the night in a midi skirt. - You can dress up with your flannel, too! Pull on a skirt that hits you at about mid-shin, then tuck your flannel into the waistband.[6]
- To really add some edge to your outfit, go for a leather midi skirt and a pair of black heels.
- Finish your look with a pair of heels and a small clutch before you head out.
[Edit]Dress your flannel up with trousers. - You can go out for a nice brunch in your flannel by dressing it up. Put on a pair of khakis or culottes, then tuck your flannel into the waistband for a cohesive outfit.[7]
- Add a pair of pumps to really make this outfit fancy, or go for a slightly more casual look with flats or mules.
- Pair your look with a few bracelets or a watch to keep the accessories minimal.
[Edit]Tie your flannel into a crop top for more versatility. - If you aren't feeling the oversized look, you can make your flannel fitted. Put your flannel on and button it up, but leave the last few buttons undone. Tie the hanging ends together in a double knot to show a little bit of skin.[8]
- Add a pair of skinny jeans and kitten heels to take this look out on the town.
- Or, keep it more casual with a pair of cropped wide legged jeans and sneakers.
- Put your essentials into a small handbag to complete this look.
[Edit]Try a streetwear look with a sports bra and biker shorts. - This outfit is perfect for a warm summer's day. Put on a pair of biker shorts and a sports bra, then throw your flannel on top.[9]
- Add a pair of chunky white sneakers to really make this outfit pop.
- Put your essentials into a fanny pack and accessorize with a few chain necklaces.
[Edit]Make a statement in over-the-knee boots. - Turn your flannel into a dress for a fun night out. Put on your flannel that hits about mid-thigh, then add a pair of tall boots to show some skin.[10]
- If you need a little extra coverage, throw on a pair of bike shorts underneath.
- Accessorize with some long earrings and a few thin bracelets.
- Put your essentials into a small handbag before you head out.
- Try a thick wool flannel in the winter and a thin cotton flannel for the summer.
[Edit]References |
| How to Use a Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:00 AM PST There are many reasons you might need to regularly monitor your blood pressure. Don't worry, there's a simple way to do it! A wrist blood pressure monitor is a good option if you can't use a regular cuff or if you want a monitor that's portable and convenient. However, these monitors take your blood pressure in a different place, meaning you must be particular about how you take your reading for accuracy. Sit in a chair and place the cuff on your wrist. For the most accurate reading, put your elbow in a relaxed but supported position on a table and align your wrist with your heart, then turn the monitor on to take a reading.[1] [Edit]Situating Yourself and the Cuff - Sit still for 5 minutes in a comfortable position. Before starting the reading, take a short resting period. Sit in a comfortable chair that supports your back. Uncross your legs and place your feet flat on the floor.
- Move any fabric away from your wrist. Take a reading on bare skin. Pull up long sleeves. Take off jackets or sweaters if you can't move the sleeve up enough to take a reading.
- Put the cuff on snugly with the display on the inside of your wrist. Wrap the cuff around your wrist, attaching it to itself with the velcro. You should only be able to get a single finger underneath the cuff.
- The display needs to be on your inner arm, as your pulse is strongest there. The monitor has a sensor behind the display that takes the reading by recording your pulse.
- Rest your arm and wrist at heart level. For an accurate reading, place your arm over your chest so your elbow's bent. It should be even with your heart for the best reading.[2]
- Turn your palm so it faces your chest if you're using a wrist cuff.[3]
- Keep your palm face up if you're supporting your arm on a desk or table.
[Edit]Taking a Reading - Press the "Power" button. Turn the monitor on. You'll find a power button or a switch to activate the power. Sometimes, the "Power" button is the same as the "Start" button. Pressing it once turns it on while pressing it again activates the measurement process.
- If the device tracks multiple users, make sure to select your profile.
- Hit the "Start" button. Once you are set, the "Start" or "Go" button will start the blood pressure reading process. Do not move while the cuff inflates and deflates, reading your blood pressure.
- Also, try to avoid talking, as that can affect your reading.
- Your blood pressure and pulse will flash on the screen when the cuff is done taking your reading.
- Use an average of 2 readings. Leave the cuff in place, and wait 1-2 minutes. Take a second reading using the same techniques, then average the 2 readings if they're close.
- If the readings are not close, take a third reading, and then average all 3.
- Wait a couple of minutes between readings. Your blood pressure will increase momentarily after each reading, so you need to allow a little time to let your true blood pressure recover.
- Wait 5 minutes for more readings if your blood pressure seems high. If you get a high reading, take a deep breath. Wait 5 minutes or so, and try again to see if you get a lower reading.
- Remember that it is completely normal for your blood pressure to change a little over the course of the day.
- Try to take your blood pressure around the same time each day. Certain foods, such as caffeine, activities, and emotional stress can change your readings, so taking them at a consistent time will help you get the best results.
- Record your reading in a notebook or app. Keeping track of your blood pressure readings over time can give you an idea of your average blood pressure level. Plus, your doctor will be impressed that you kept track of it.
- Write the systolic (higher number) over the diastolic (lower number), such as 120/80 mmHg.[4]
- Many health apps offer a section for tracking blood pressure, including the iPhone app and the Walgreen's app.
- Note the date and time with the reading.
[Edit]Working on Accuracy - Avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol 30 minutes before taking a reading. Caffeine can affect your readings, so you shouldn't ingest it right before you use your wrist cuff. Take your reading before you ingest any caffeinated drinks. If you have already consumed caffeine, wait at least half an hour before taking a reading.
- Take your reading before you start smoking for the day. Smoking can also change your readings. Take your reading before your first cigarette, cigar, or pipe for that day. Avoid taking your blood pressure after you have smoked, as the results will be elevated.
- If you're thinking about trying to quit smoking, there's no time like the present. Doing so will help lower your blood pressure.
- Get your reading before any major physical activity. Physical activity, such as climbing stairs, running, or even doing extensive housework, can raise your blood pressure. When taking your blood pressure, though, you want a resting measurement. You will not be able to get that kind of true reading after physical activity.
[Edit]References |
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