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!

$62 or more – Preorder Special

Get $18 off the retail price of $80 for the shipment of one of the very first sets of Moondials (limited supply) Comes with a digital copy of of the official Moondial Lunar Calendar

$115 or more – x2 MOONDIAL

Get $45 off the retail price of $80 for the shipment of one of the very first sets of Moondials (limited supply) Comes with digital copies of of the official Moondial Lunar Calendar

$220 or more – x4 MOONDIAL

Get $100 off the retail price of $80 for the shipment of one of the very first sets of Moondials (limited supply) Comes with digital copies of of the official Moondial Lunar Calendar

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.

Stonehenge was revealed to be the most ancient lunar observatory in human history

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.

©2021 Tony Freeth

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!)

From the 2017 “Great American Eclipse” (the next one is a year away)

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

The Apollo 11 lunar module made history when it first landed in the Sea of Tranquility

• 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.

Data sourced from NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

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!

Past Projects of AION

How will we use the funds?

Concept design is finished. Design for manufacturing is finished. Electronics and mechanics are prepped. We have a fully functioning prototype and have quoted all materials and operations. All we need now are the funds for volume production and final testing. Next steps include the creation of new molds, component testing, quality assurance with manufacturing partners, part orders, assembly, and additional rewards like the lunar calendar.

Project Timeline

We have communicated extensively with our business partners and drilled down conservative estimates on part production, final testing, assembly timing, and finished product delivery dates. With our continued attention to detail and a bit of good fortune, we will get Moondials into the hands of our backers as efficiently as possible.

Here is a breakdown of our timeline:

• March-April: Kickstarter campaign
• April-May: Follow up with our backers, incorporate feedback from our backers, and begin shipping lunar calendar rewards
• June: Receive final prototypes, complete testing for accuracy and reliability
• July: Begin volume production and part assemblies
• August-September: Ship out the very first orders of Moondial to early bird backers
• September-November: Fulfill all production, assembly, and shipment of Moondials to our backers

Press

Interested about the project and want to write about it? We’d love to answer all your questions. You can access the full press pack here and email us at this address: contact@moondial.space

Risks & Challenges

A conservative budget has been compiled including all costs involved in parts, production, and assembly. As with all engineering and design, challenges may arise. We have incorporated the potential of additional costs in our projections. The most obvious challenge involves the creation of the injection mold for the plastic housing. Injection molding is relatively cost-effective at high volumes. However, the upfront tooling costs to create the mold are substantial. We have incorporated the possible additional costs of needing to retool the mold to allow for any design revisions after final testing is complete. Having to redesign the mold may also cause delays in the overall production and shipment dates, so some cushion was added to the timeline in case this or other delays occur. 

We are confident in the functionality and quality of our design so all Moondials will come with a limited 1-year warranty.

Environmental Commitments

Long-lasting design

Moondial has been tested for extended strength and durability. Components are structured to last. The lighting system uses high efficiency LEDs with low power consumption and an extended working life.

Reusability and recyclability

Our recyclable packaging minimizes the use of inks and plastics.

Sustainable materials

We have incorporated the use of PLA, a recyclable, biodegradable resin that goes easy on the environment.