Nocturnal

The Universal Pocket Nocturnal is a star clock used to determine the time at night using fixed stars visible in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres - Polaris in the Northern Hemisphere and Alpha & Beta Centauri plus the Southern Cross in the Southern Hemisphere. The Nocturnal was invented over 500 years ago to determine the time at night using bright stars. The original instrument worked in the Northern Hemisphere using the pole star Polaris for reference and Kochab for the hour angle. However, the original design could not be used in the Southern Hemisphere as there was no corresponding bright star at the South Celestial Pole. In 2023, Tony Sprent in Tasmania developed a new design using Alpha and Beta Centauri and the Southern Cross for use in the Southern Hemisphere. Produced in a small workshop in Spain, this carefully crafted instrument measures just 60 mm (approximately 2 inches) in diameter and meets international sizing standards for pocket watches. Made of solid brass, the Kala Universal Pocket Nocturnal is a contemporary take on historical models. This charming instrument will remain operationally accurate for many years because the variation in the direct ascension varies very little over the course of centuries, making it a truly long-lived instrument and unique gift.