A sundial tells the time of the day based on the Sun’s apparent position in the sky. Children are often taught to make unique sundials at home and tell time while viewing the sun’s movement. Over time, sundials have revolutionized from functional timepieces to noteworthy art pieces that can brighten your garden or add an oomph factor to your outdoor décor. You can choose from several contemporary styles of unique sundials that match your home décor if you’re looking to buy one.
Types of sundials
An array of unique sundials are available in the market in varying shapes and sizes, crafted from different materials. Let’s look at four common types of sundials:
- Horizontal sundial
This is the most common type of sundial and is characterized by its flat-shaped dial plate. Also called the “garden sundial,” it is typically spotted on pedestals in gardens. A horizontal sundial has three parts: the gnomon or the vertical part of the sundial that casts a shadow to tell time, the hour markers that denote the time on which the shadow falls, and the faceplate or the area of the dial where the shadow is cast. The faceplate tells the time. - Vertical sundial
Vertical sundials are seen mounted on church walls, town halls, and other buildings so that they can be spotted from a distance. In this timepiece, the shadow-receiving plane is aligned vertically, and its gnomon is positioned to align with the Earth’s axis of rotation. This type of sundial is not equiangular, so the line of shadow will not move uniformly on the dial’s face. - Equatorial sundial
The equatorial sundial is also known as the “equinoctial dial.” It sports a planar surface on which the shadow is cast. The shadow is exactly perpendicular to the gnomon’s style in this type of sundial. You can easily construct and visualize your unique type of equatorial sundial with a flat surface oriented with the celestial equator and a gnomon perpendicular to the celestial equator. This sundial’s dial plate is usually flat, but it can also be a circular ring. - Polar sundial
These sundials have a dial plate that is parallel to the Earth’s axis. The gnomon is parallel to the dial plate, and the hour lines are parallel to each other. A polar sundial’s face should be parallel to the gnomon, and it doesn’t have to be vertical. This type of sundial is typically installed on a rod or is made of a rectangular plate.
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Is it possible to unlock one’s cellphone or smartphone?
Read moreSome smartphones and cellphones are usually unlocked, but they simply need some help. If you have purchased a locked phone, it’s in the carrier’s excellent interest which helps you to keep that phone always connected to their network. You can even ask your carrier regarding unlocking your phone, but they might not do it especially if you are still under the contract. You can even pay a third party to unlock your phone, but this voids any kind of warranty that you may have.
What do you mean by an unlocked cellphone or smartphone?
An unlocked cellphone is the one that is simply not connected to any carrier’s network it best works with more than one service provider. Most phones are simply connected or locked to a particular cellular carrier, such as Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, or Sprint. Even though you don’t purchase the phone from the actual carrier, the phone is still connected to a carrier.What to do after buying an unlocked smartphone?
Suppose you have purchased an unlocked smartphone, then you must need a SIM in order to avail the service. A SIM might also be well-known as “SIM” card that you slide into the phone which offers the phone with its phone numbers and its voice along with the data service.To buy and use unlocked phones is getting more popular due to a good reason. It provides you with much freedom to use your phone exactly as you like, and it just saves your money. However, to search for the right phone and the right SIM can be too confusing at times. Hence, take your time and research well before you make any kind of purchase.
How to unlock one’s cellphone or smartphone?
Probably, there might be some smartphones, as well as cellphones which can be unlocked, but it typically requires help. Once you’ve purchased a locked phone, it’s in the carrier’s best interest to keep that phone well-connected to their network. You can simply ask your carrier about unlocking your phone, but they may not do it especially if you’re still under contract.Where to buy an unlocked cellphone or smartphone?
In order to buy an unlocked cellphone or smartphone, it becomes much easy and more reliable option than to unlock an earlier locked phone. Though you pay more for the phone, you will not rely on any person to unlock the phone for you. -
4 Medicare dental plans that cover your dental care
Read moreStarted in 1965, Medicare programs have been providing affordable medical care to seniors. Funded by the federal government, Medicare made healthcare accessible to senior citizens who found it difficult to pay for their medical expenses with their fixed post-retirement income. With a major proportion of baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) turning 65, it is estimated that nearly 64 million people will enroll in Medicare by 2020. However, this number also includes people below the age of 65 years. Younger people who have a permanent disability, or end-stage renal disease, or cognitive impairments are also eligible for Medicare benefits.
Medicare benefits include hospital insurance and coverage for outpatient care, doctors’ services, preventive services, and medical supplies, based on certain terms and conditions. All these are covered under basic Medicare plans known as Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare Part D covers the cost of prescription drugs. However, this is not included in the basic plan and a person has to enroll separately for Part D. Also, none of these plans cover dental care. If you are looking for affordable dental care through Medicare, you can enroll for Medicare Part C. Part C is offered by private insurance providers that have contracts with Medicare. Also known as Medicare Advantage Plans, these cover all the benefits of Part A, Part B, and Part D along with additional services that include vision, dental, hearing, and wellness. If you are looking for top Medicare dental plans, you can enroll for Medicare Advantage or Part C. Here are some of the private insurers that have been known to offer the top Medicare dental plans.
Aetna Medicare Dental Plan
Aetna does not have a separate plan specifically for dental care. The Medicare Advantage Plan from Aetna covers routine dental care along with vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage. Routine dental care includes oral examinations in a dentist’s office, dental X-rays (inclusive of panoramic and bitewing views), pulp vitality tests, and oral hygiene consultations. The cost of cleaning, scaling, and polishing the teeth is also included. Other services include bite adjustments, fillings and restorations, denture adjustments, non-surgical extractions, and minor periodontic scalings and root planings. It is important to note that not all of these services will be offered by all Aetna Medicare dental plans, and services may differ from place to place.Delta Medicare Dental Plan
Delta Dental offers Dental Advantage plan through Sharp Health Plan Medicare Advantage plan. This is an HMO plan with Medicare contract that provides a comprehensive coverage that includes crowns, fillings, and dentures. This is considered as one of the top Medicare dental plans since there are no hidden costs for dental services and copays are quite low. With dentist office visits costing as low as $5 and prevention services such as cleanings costing just around $15, Medicare dental plans from Delta are one of the most affordable dental plans. You can pick any dentist from the DeltaCare USA HMO network depending in your location. There is no waiting period involved. You can avail of the benefits as soon as you enroll.Humana Medicare Dental Plan
Humana Medicare Advantage plans offer dental care only with certain plans. The Medicare dental plan is known as MyOption Enhanced Dental HMO. These plans do not have any deductible and there is no waiting period for the coverage to start. Benefits offered by these plans include full coverage for basic procedures such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, and exams. Partial coverage is provided for a few major services such as extractions. However, this is applicable only when you go to dentists who are in the Humana Medicare network.UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Dental Plan
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan provides routine dental coverage through two options: enroll in a plan with routine dental care benefits or enroll in a plan with a supplemental rider for routine dental care. Based on the chosen plan, you can avail of various dental services such as annual exams that include panoramic and bitewing X-rays. These top Medicare dental plans also include routine cleaning and polishing, non-surgical extractions, minor restorative procedures such as fillings, bridgework and crowns, denture and denture adjustments, and minor periodontal scalings.