Suryakala-Nusantara: Documenting Indonesian Sundials

Abstract

Sundial is the ancient or classic timekeeper device, especially prior to the invention of mechanical clock. In the classical Islamic civilization, the daily movement of the Sun becomes main indicator of praying time, which can be deduced using sundial. This kind of device probably permeated to Indonesia during the Islamic acculturation. Since then, the development of astronomical knowledge, technology, art and architectural in classical Indonesia are partially reflected into sundial. These historical attractions of sundial demand comprehensive documentation and investigation of Indonesian sundial which are rarely found in the current literatures. The required spatial and temporal information regarding Indonesian sundial can be collected by general public through citizen science scheme. This concept may answer scientific curiosity of a research and also educate the people, expose them with science. In this article, general scheme of citizen science are discussed, its application for sundial study in Indonesia is proposed as Suryakala-Nusantara program.