Heliogeometry Solar Shadow Studio

Heliogeometry

Solar Shadow Studio explores the intersection of astronomy, sculpture, geometry, and time. Using ropes stretched from one or more poles to carefully placed ground anchors, the installation transforms sunlight into an ever-changing drawing. As the Earth rotates and the seasons pass, the shadows continuously evolve, revealing celestial patterns that exist only for a moment before changing again. The sculpture is permanent, but the artwork is never the same twice.

Getting Started

1. Drag the pole anywhere in the scene. The pole is the origin of the sculpture, while the star anchors remain fixed on the ground.
2. Controls
   
   • Touch and hold a pole for about one second until it becomes active.
   • Without lifting your finger, drag the pole anywhere on the ground.
   • Release your finger to place the pole in its new location.
   • Move the Time slider to watch the shadow sculpture change throughout the day.
   • Try different pole positions to discover new shadow patterns and alignments with the selected constellation.
3. As you move the pole, every rope automatically reconnects to the same star anchors, allowing you to explore new shadow patterns.
4. Use the Time slider to watch the Sun move across the sky and see how the shadow sculpture changes throughout the day.
5. Try different constellations to compare how each arrangement transforms the shadows.
6. Turn on Twin Pole Mode to add a second pole connected to the same star anchors, creating layered and intersecting shadow patterns.
7. When you discover a design you like, export the layout for RTK surveying to stake out the sculpture accurately in the real world.

Features

• One or multiple pole designs

• Real constellation presets

• Big Dipper
• Polaris
• Orion
• Cassiopeia
• Southern Cross
• and more

• Interactive 3D editing

• Real-time solar simulation

• Time-of-day animation

• Seasonal shadow changes

• Precision layout mode

• RTK/GPS survey coordinate export (under development)

• Future CAD and DXF export

Intended Users

• Artists
• Architects
• Landscape designers
• Surveyors
• Science museums
• Schools and universities
• Makers and hobbyists

The long-term goal is to bridge art, astronomy, surveying, and engineering by allowing solar sculptures to be designed digitally and accurately constructed anywhere in the world.

Created by Bill Noble with AI-assisted software development.