How many minutes of daylight left?
Telling time without a watch is just a few digits away.
You’re stranded in urban wilderness, concrete jungle that is LA and it’s getting late in the day. You got to get home to put those chickens up before the possums and coons come out but you aren’t sure how many daylight hours are left.
We learned this pretty nifty trick when we were teenagers (and since I don’t wear a watch this finger trick continue comes in handy!)
To estimate hours before sundown, the only equipment you need is your hands. Extend your arms before you and bend your wrists so your palms face you. Stack one hand on top of the other from the horizon to the sun. Each finger represents approximately 15 minutes. Each person’s finger size varies, so for accurate results every time, do this at home with a watch to see if you have 10-, 15-, or 20-minute fingers.
Resources
Another sign of the time! Don’t forget to enjoy the Super Harvest Moon: Autumn phenomenon is a rare treat
Comments(5)
Diane says:
September 24, 2010 at 7:21 amYou are right about this method, and its accuracy! I was taught slightly differently – to use my fist balled up and held at arm’s length but it ends up being about the same size as your fingers lined up. I use it all the time, and it’s NEVER been wrong!
Ginger says:
September 24, 2010 at 7:45 amThanks for this interesting idea and book list. I’ll check them out soon. Very interesting.
Heather H :) :) :) says:
September 24, 2010 at 9:28 amThis is a great tip. I’m going to try and see how it works. It’ll come in handy since I have a watch…but I’m losing it quite often 🙂 🙂 Hugs from Oregon, Heather 🙂
Bethany says:
September 24, 2010 at 11:16 amWow, I never knew! This will definitely come in handy, since I don’t have a watch. 🙂
Melina says:
September 24, 2010 at 1:34 pmI would give this a try, but I have a big ol’ mountain in the way. It’s called Pikes Peak! Sun goes behind the mountain and we still have several hours of daylight. But I will give this a try sometime when I’m out on the prairie.