Sun Compass, Bumstead

The sun's shadow on a dial gave direction where a magnetic compass failed, such as near the poles.

Maker

Pioneer Instrument Co.

Place

United States of America

Materials

Aluminum alloy, brass, iron alloy, glass, black lacquer paint, white paint, and celluloid

Dimensions

3-D: 11 x 8.5cm (4 5/16 x 3 3/8 in.)

Museum

National Air and Space Museum

Credit line

Transferred from the Department of Commerce

85mm diameter, 110 high; 24 hour dial and azimuth scale; white on black.

The museum's own record (Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum)

Also by Pioneer Instrument Co. see all

Recorder, Air Distance

Also answering “Where am I?” see all

Surveyor's Vernier CompassPocket compass from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806James Wilson's Terrestrial Globe, 1811Solar CompassSextantEquatorial SextantLiquid CompassDry Card Compass with BinnaclePlotter, DriftSextant, Brandis, with Willson Bubble Telescope, EarlyReceiver, Radio Range, ARC, Lab Prototype, Model BSight, Drift & Ground Speed, Gatty