XIX Course Sundial @ NDA

The XIX (19th) NDA Course recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their joining the academy. The accurate measurement of time is vital to all military operations. Observation of the Sun and other celestial bodies led to time keeping. Modern spacecraft rely on celestial navigation. To remind us of our roots, the XIX Course gifted a Sundial to the NDA and it is now a prominent landmark. The Astronomy Club of NDA (Mr AR Nair, Officer-in-Charge) provided important inputs and is now entrusted with the care and upkeep of the sundial. All prominent sundials in India have walls as the gnomon (the part that casts the shadow). The sundial at NDA is distinctive in having a metal gnomon. The mystery person in the photo is Vice Admiral AS Krishnan, former Chief of Material, Indian Navy and the chief architect of the sundial. Lieutenant George Poonen got a US stamp issued, featuring the NDA sundial.

Photo Courtesy: Commander A Dhir via Wing Commander J Thomas