What is this strange globe?

It is called Oriented Globe or Parallel Globe. Centuries ago, these were called Spherical Sundials. They were used for keeping track of time.

 

Why is Hanover NH at the top of the Globe?

Because you are at the top of the globe – wherever you are. So if you are in Hanover, the rest of the world is, in a sense, under your feet. The Globe tries to represent your situation in the world. Look for the North and other cardinal directions, and figure out where you should go if you wanted to go to a faraway country. The Globe is oriented, so you can plan your trips from where you are to the rest of the world!

 

All globes I have seen so far spin. This one doesn’t. Why?

Well, it does spin, give it a little time. As it is anchored to the Earth, and as the Earth spins, the Globe will spin too. Wait and see.

 

What can I learn from it?

You need to look at the shadow on the globe. (So the Globe needs some Sun in order to work.) You will see that, say, if it is early morning in Hanover, the Sun has already set in India. And when the Sun sets in Hanover, it rises in Japan. You can see the Earth as a spaceship would see it now from outer space.

 

Are there big changes from season to season?

Yes. The Sun at any moment always lits a half globe, but from season to season you will see that the portion that is lit up changes. From end September to end-March, the South Pole receives light, and the North Pole does not. From End March through end September, it is the other way around.

 

Is this a precise globe? I can see that many islands are missing!

Well, we did it without using precision instruments, by copying a standard globe. It is not extremely accurate, but it is still a good approximation.

 

Does it work at night?

No. But many other similar globes work while this one is sleeping.

 

Can I bring the Globe to Tokyo or to San Francisco or to Paris?

You can, but it would not work. It can only work for the place that is at its top! If someone stole it, it would not go too far!