The Equator Sun Dial, the first monument to the Middle of the World in the history of the Republic of Ecuador, is a circular platform with a diameter of 54 meters (177 feet) made from a large mosaic of light and dark river stones that draw the eight-pointed star also known as the compass rose or mariner’s compass. In the center of the platform, there is a cylindrical post 10 meters high that serves as a shade marker indicating the corresponding hours and months according to the transit of the Sun. - andresalvador's Photos

andre' salvador
PHOTOGRAPHY & WATERCOLORS

Quitsato equator sundial is a monument in Cayambe. The Quitsato sun dial is supposed to be at the middle of the world. Their presentation that Cayambe is the only place on the equator with snow and of the soltices making it the true middle of the world is very interesting.

More information may be found in their website
http://www.quitsato.org/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=87

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The Equator Sun Dial, the first monument to the Middle of the World in the history of the Republic of Ecuador, is a circular platform with a diameter of 54 meters (177 feet) made from a large mosaic of light and dark river stones that draw the eight-pointed star also known as the compass rose or mariner’s compass. In the center of the platform, there is a cylindrical post 10 meters high that serves as a shade marker indicating the corresponding hours and months according to the transit of the Sun.

The design, based in light and dark tones, makes the Sun Dial the first monument of the world designed with the purpose of being observed and reproduced from satellites. This is because the lines produced by the lighter colored stones of the platform radiate with a lower temperature than the background of the mosaic made up of darker colored stones. The goal of this difference in temperatures is not only so that they can be reproduced in satellite thermal images, but also to give the exhibitors of Quitsato a discourse to create consciousness of the importance of sunlight to life and to the power of the absorption and reflection from different colors found on the surface of the planet, which is the basis for the satellite technology.

The Equator Sun Dial was designed to fulfill certain purposes in both its function and application. In its function, the Sun Dial not only marks the true time, that is to say the hours as indicated by the central post and the apparent position of the sun during the hours of daylight, but also indicates the months of the year with respect to the lunations contained in one year. The markings detailed in the stone mosaic that indicate the months of the years were positioned solely for educational purposes. Since the specific days of the month are not indicated, the position of the shade is always explained in the verbal presentation that the Sun Dial guides offer to daily visitors to the monument.

Beth and Jackie posing right between them is the equator.

The Equator Sun Dial has an ecological design for the capture, management and storage of rainwater. It also has certain symmetrical geometric properties that represent the Metric Decimal System which lend support to the discourse about the essence of the monument

Visitors standing on the middle of the world, are reflected here from the mirror on the ground where the equator runs.

The most important objective of the Sun Dial is to rescue, renovate and dignify the concept of the Middle of the World, which is seated at the base of the cultural identity of the Ecuadorians and their history, offered in a place where visitors are treated with respect and given verifiable and current information. The renovation of the concept of the Middle of the World is to contemplate the display of a new perspective on our planet, one with balance and unity.

Quitsato's aim is to make people understand that the equatorial line is the line that unites two hemispheres making them one World and not the line that divides the world into two hemispheres.

An elevated observation point to better view the sun dial.

A view of the sun dial plaza with the Cayambe mountain range beyond.

From the equator sun dial looking at the Cayambe Mountain on the right hand side. Cayambe is the largest town north of Quito. Snow-covered Cayambe is the third highest mountain in Ecuador at 18997 ft (5790 m) and is considered one of the favorites of mountaineers.

The Equator Sun Dial, the first monument to the Middle of the World in the history of the Republic of Ecuador, is a circular platform with a diameter of 54 meters (177 feet) made from a large mosaic of light and dark river stones that draw the eight-pointed star also known as the compass rose or mariner’s compass. In the center of the platform, there is a cylindrical post 10 meters high that serves as a shade marker indicating the corresponding hours and months according to the transit of the Sun.