Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock

Bill Nye looking up at Rhodes Hall solar noon clock

(Photo by Lindsay France, Cornell University.)

Even on Ithaca's cloudiest days, the Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock marks the Sun's highest daily position by shining a beam of actual sunlight.

In designing the clock, Bill Nye ’77 drew inspiration from his father, a World War II prisoner of war who observed the shadow of a shovel handle to reckon the passage of time.

What time is Solar Noon in Ithaca today?

 

Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock Live Cam
 

Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock

Bill Nye '77 designed and donated Cornell's Rhodes Hall Clock, a clock that indicates the Sun's highest daily position with a flood of light.

The Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock Live Cam

Bill Nye pointing to his watch in front of Rhodes Hall ClockInspired by stories from his father, a World War II prisoner of war who observed the shadow of a shovel handle to reckon the passage of time, Nye has been fascinated by sundials since childhood.

Rhodes Hall

What time is solar noon at Cornell today?

<p>1:02:45 pm</p>

Letter from Bill Nye '77

Every minute of every day, I find my life enriched by my time at Cornell. That time was made possible by my parents and the many wonderful instructors I had along the way. This clock is to honor the University, its legacy of discovery, and its people. I hope it will inspire those Cornellians and visitors, who come after us. Here is the design and the story that has filled me with great interest and passion for this project.

Sincerely,

Bill Nye
Class of 1977, Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

What is Solar Noon?

The difference between Solar Noon and standard clock noon varies through the year and is expressed as the “equation of time."

Bill Nye

The Solar Noon Indicator is a product of my Cornell years. It combines fundamental principles of modern electrical and mechanical branches of engineering along with wonderful discoveries in astronomy that date back more than 19 centuries.

— Bill Nye '77
Bill Nye

I very much hope that the Solar Noon Indicator will inspire Cornellians and visitors alike, as they note the time of day reckoned with our Sun and ponder their place among the stars.

— Bill Nye '77

Bill Nye at Rhodes Hall solar noon display case

Visit the Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock display case to view original project items and media about the history, design, and creation of the Solar Noon Clock. The display case is located in the lobby of Rhodes Hall.

Read “With Cornell’s ‘Solar Noon’ Clock, Bill Nye ’77 Aims to Leave a Legacy” in Cornellians

Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock Live Cam

 

Visit & Learn More

Visit the display case in the lobby of Rhodes Hall to learn more about the history, design, and creation of the Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock.

Bill Nye solar noon clock display case at Rhodes Hall

(Photo by Lindsay France, Cornell University.)

Rhodes Hall with solar noon clock