What is MOONDIAL?

Moondial is an authentic lunar globe which displays the Moon’s phase in real time. Utilizing data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, an exceptionally detailed moon model was three-dimensionally generated. Then a patent pending lighting system was designed to perpetually project the lunar cycle in a precise and stunning fashion.

For the astronomy lover or anyone who has an appreciation of the beauty of nature, Moondial is a must-have. Tracking the cycles of the Moon can be a powerful practice. Whether you use telescopes to gaze into the heavens, astrology to connect with a greater part of yourself,  or simply feel an impulse to observe the intricate balance of our place in the Universe, Moondial will deepen your connection with the cosmos.

Details

• Astronomically accurate 1:23 million scale model of the Moon featuring all the mountains, craters, and magma in sharp relief

• A revolving lighting system synced to the lunar month of 29.53 days recreates the orbital interactions of the Sun, Moon and Earth (timelapse below)

• That sublimely familiar ethereal glow

• Dimmable white LED for setting your preferred brightness level

With unprecedented craftsmanship, Moondial lets you experience the awe-inspiring lunar cycle in a distinct and appealing form. Perfect as a conversation starter, elevating piece of decor or educational tool, it will pique the interest of anyone fascinated with astronomy, science, or design. Add a touch of elegance to any room and bring the Moon down to Earth for yourself or that special someone.

Rewards

Support our project and become a part of the Moondial community! All backers will be able to provide important feedback as we put on the finishing touches.

$1 or more

• Share your wonder of the Moon with us and become an integral part of creating Moondial

$10 or more

• High resolution digital copy of the official Moondial lunar calendar

$20 or more

• High quality 16″ x 20″ (406mm x 508mm) printed poster of our lunar calendar

$51 or more – VIP Early Bird

• Get 36% off the retail price of $80 and priority scheduling for the shipment of one of the very first sets of Moondials (Limited Special – get this reward while it lasts!)

$60 or more – Kickstarter Special

• Get $20 off retail pricing for your very own Moondial
  

Shipping

Below are shipping estimates for x1 Moondial for some common geographical areas. Please note that these are estimates and the actual cost of shipping could change based on many circumstances.

• USA: $7
• Canada: $14
• Europe: $16
• China: $16
• Eastern Asia: $24
• Rest of World: $28-54

Shipping for Moondials will be charged in our pledge manager after the campaign. Using the pledge manager, you will be able to confirm your rewards, confirm your shipping address, and finalize your order. We will be absorbing some of the shipping costs to keep these prices as affordable as possible and there will be no shipping charge for the lunar calendar poster rewards shipping in May.

Intuitive and Reliable Operation

Moondial was designed for uncomplicated operation and long-lasting effect. There are two straightforward control mechanisms:

The first is the dimmer. Each Moondial comes equipped with a white LED and dimmer knob to control its brightness. To operate, simply rotate the dimmer to your desired brightness level. Rotating the knob fully counterclockwise until you hear a click will power off its LED. Power for the moon phase movement will stay on when the LED dimmer is turned off.

The next control feature is the adjustment wheel. This is located on the base. With the LED light powered on, simply rotate the wheel to the current lunar phase. It is recommended to calibrate the phase display when the Moon is in a major phase: first quarter, full moon, third quarter, or new moon. You can easily find information for the current phase with the official Moondial lunar calendar (included with all Moondial rewards). Once you set the wheel, Moondial will accurately synchronize with the lunar cycle for years to come.

Why MOONDIAL?

For time immemorial, humans have basked in the glory of the Moon. Monuments were built in its honor. Spiritual and agricultural practices aligned with its changing cycles. Ancient astronomers obsessively tracked its movements… Us earthlings have always sought the source of its mysterious magic and influence on our lives.

The oldest lunar phase indicator is the Antikythera Mechanism (see below). It was discovered in an ancient shipwreck off the coast of a Greek island of the same name. Regarded as the earliest known example of an analog computer, this primeval device displayed the position and phase of the Moon with a surprising level of astronomical accuracy. As the saying goes, “There’s nothing new under the Sun”. The same awe and wonder that inspired the creation of that extraordinary mechanism drives this project as well.

Moondial has been several years in the making. What started as an obsession with moon gazing, turned into a study of its effect on human psychology, ancient civilizations, mathematical cosmic relationships and natural phenomena like tides and eclipses. (Did you know the Sun and Moon have the same apparent size when viewed from Earth? This is due to each celestial body’s average distance from Earth being 108 [a sacred number] times their respective diameters. The odds of this occurring are truly astronomical and is what allows for the life-changing experience of a total solar eclipse!)

All of this was the fuel to spend countless hours over the span of 7 years to learn about the history and science of the Moon and to artfully simulate its enchanting beauty.

How accurate is MOONDIAL?

• Utilizing public scientific data from NASA and high resolution 3D printing (100 micron layers), the lunar globe is a faithful topographical representation of Earth’s celestial companion

• With a patent pending lighting design, each Moondial is synchronized with the Moon to display the lunar phase as it is

• The display is regulated by a quartz clock circuit featuring an incredible timer accuracy of 99.99%
• The dynamic color quality of the lunar surface seen from Earth is recognizable in Moondial thanks to the variable shell thickness of the lunar globe

• The lighting system recreates the color temperature of actual moonlight

Design

Much time and care was put into designing each part and their interactions in Moondial. Between hand sketches, digital drawings, 3D modeling, and considerable engineering calculations, no feature was left unchecked. An ideal balance between precision, simplicity, and affordability was struck. This is the most unique lunar phase indicator on the market. It is easy to use with an accessible price point, while featuring an unparalleled functional accuracy. Moondial was designed to share the beauty of the Moon with as many people as possible.

• The lunar globe is constructed using high resolution additive manufacturing techniques with a recyclable, biodegradable plastic that goes easy on the environment
• An adjustable lunar phase movement regulated by a quartz oscillator provides precise and reliable timekeeping abilities
• The LED lighting system enables low power consumption along with an extended working life of 50,000+ hours
• The dimmer makes it easy to set the light output to your desired mood
• The housing is constructed with injection molded plastic, lending superior strength and durability while minimizing material waste
• The anti-reflective coating on the moon model with the matte black finish of the housing enhance luminance and visibility in a variety of lighting conditions
• A 12 volt DC wall adapter is included with a built in low current consumption

Extensive testing has been performed on the initial prototype. Electronic circuit inspection, torque requirement analysis, quartz oscillator output measurements and strength tests have all been conducted. These tests and general quality control measures will continue to be performed in partnership with our manufacturing teams.

There have been many challenges for our team to overcome during the design of Moondial. Translating visual data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter into a 3D model requires a lot of time and processing power. This digital model was then tested against various fabrication techniques and materials to create an analog display that is exact yet economical. The most significant hurdle was the dynamic lighting mechanism. A coaxial light source that consistently projected 180° of light from the interior of the lunar globe was no easy task. This patent pending design took countless iterations and many series of tests to complete. Lastly, plastic injection molding was selected for the housing, due to its low material consumption and high repeatability for critical dimensions. Integrating the electronic circuit and mechanical components within the stringent design constraints of injection molding processes was achieved after a series of demanding drafts and design reviews with our manufacturing partners.

Product Specifications

• Overall dimensions: 7.7” x 9” x 6″ (196mm x 230mm x 155mm)
• Globe: ⌀6″ (154mm) – 1:23 million scale
• Weight: 1.6lbs (726g)
• Table surface required: 7.7” x 4.3″ (196mm x 110mm)
• Materials: PLA resin, ABS plastic, electronic components
• Power: 100-240V 50-60 Hz, 12V adapter supplied

Why Kickstarter

AION is a small, independently operated design studio based in Colorado. We have several years of experience in commercial 3D printing projects, patentable engineering solutions, CAD modeling, design for manufacturability, jewelry making and horology. With your help, Moondial will be our first commercial breakthrough fully owned and operated by us. All of our passion for astronomy, design, and engineering is behind this. We are looking for your support to validate our idea, become a part of the process and bring Moondial to life!