Analemma tracer (multiple orientations)

It's simple, it just takes time! 

This design resembles a vertical sun dial that can face East, West or South. Use it as a fixed tool to trace the movement of the sun.

Grab a paper (or equivalent) and trace the shadow cast by the indicator (gnomon) at a set time of the day. Repeat for a year and you should see a shape resembling a figure 8. That's the analemma, and it reflects the yearly motion of the sun in the sky as seen from a fixed point on Earth (well, its shadow in this specific case).

If you're aiming to trace the analemma in the morning, use the East facing design.
If you're aiming to trace the analemma in the afternoon, use the West facing design.
If you're aiming to trace the analemma around noon, use the South facing design.

Depending on the tracer's direction, the analemma will appear:
- to the right of the gnomon, when facing due West.
- to the left of the gnomon, when facing due East.
- below the gnomon, when facing due South.

This is why I provide you here with files for each direction: East, West and South. They also have different attachment points for convenience.

Some tips:

• Ideally, one of these 3d printed designs would allow multiple people to use the same setup and keep their own copy of the analemma. Simply store your paper somewhere safe and bring it out for each observation.

• Trace the shadow at least once a month. Preferably, once a week.

• Install so that the gnomon is at the top and is horizontal, i.e. parallel to the ground. Ideally, use a straight vertical wall with nothing obstructing the view of the sky above/in front of it.

• The time at which you will mark your observations will affect the shape and placement of the analemma. This design should work for observation times between 9:30 - 16:00. For other times, simply go by trial and error or use the sun's elevation and azimuth tables.

• Similarly, the location where you have installed this item will affect the shape of the analemma. The ones provided here were optimized for latitudes between 30 and 65 degrees.

• Details here are for the northern hemisphere. If you're using this in the southern hemisphere, simply “reverse the directions” mentally, the design will work as is.

Tracing paper dimensions:

• 96 x 60 mm, when using the small designs that should face South.

• 96 x 106 mm, when using the designs that should face East, West and South.

• 96 x 196 mm, when using the big designs that work for all East, West and South.