The document describes a student collaboration program called METER that brings together European students to conduct research. It outlines details of meetings held in Rome and Oradea, where students measured distances using triangulation and constructed a horizontal solar clock to measure time. The solar clock project involved drawing a diagram of hours, extending radii to create time markers, and using a adjustable gnomon to cast shadows onto the diagram to indicate the time of day.

1. COMENIUS PROGRAM
Measuring the
Earth
Through
European students'
Research and collaboration
M.E.T.E.R.

2. COUNTRIES (CITIES) PARTICIPATING IN THE
PROGRAM
1. FRANCE (LYON)
2. ENGLAND (BIRMINGHAM)
3. THE NETHERLANDS (AMSTERDAM)
4. ITALY (ROME)
5. ROMANIA (ORADEA)
6. GREECE (ATHENS)

3. 2nd MEETING IN ROME
Topic: Triangulation and Navigation
Aim of the Experiment :
To measure the distance of two points A and B when there is an obstacle in
between
Α.
Β.
How we confront the problem:
Starting from point A, we move in a peripheral motion around the obstacle. The way
we move is such in order to follow straight lines that are perpendicular between
each other.

4. A
B
Using the compass below we distinguish the horizontal (green) and the verical
movements (red).
We also define, with this compass, the movements to the right upward direction as
positive while, on the other hand, the movements to the left downward direction as
negative.

5. We measure how many meters we move each time and fill in the results in the
following table.
RED DIRECTION (+ OR -) GREEN DIRECTION (+ OR -)
We add algebraically the measuments separately in the two columns and jot down
the results.
RED SUM : ….............
GREEN SUM : ….............
Finally, we apply the Pythagorean theory and calculate the distance between points
A and B.
(DISTANCE)2 = (RED SUM)2 + (GREEN SUM)2
A
B

6. 3rd MEETING IN ORADEA
Topic: Time
Who is born giant, reaches manhood *
and ages again becoming a giant?
It is the shadow of a body
Illuminated by the Sun
Like the shadow of gnomon
of a solar clock
whose slow course
over the signs of hours
and with air of another era
gives us a sense from the scent
of a different rhythm of life.
Aim of the experiment:
Measuring time with the help of a solar clock.
The construction of a horizontal solar clock:
A. DIAGRAM OF HOURS
We draw a circle radius R.
We cut the circle in half and keep one semi-circle.
We place the semi-circle in a horizontal surface and divide the circle in
pieces, each corresponding to a 150 angle.
We create a system of axes, naming it W(est), E(ast), N(orth), S(outh) -
- since the diagram is in Greek, and for your convenience, the equivalence is
∆ (=W), Α (=E), Β (=S), and Ν (=S).

7. Using point O as the center of the circle as well as the use of a thread we
extend the radiuses of the circle and mark their traces on the straight line ∆Α
(WE) which osculates on the semi-circle at point K.
We extend radius OK and mark ΚΟ΄ whose length is ΚΟ΄=ΚΟ/sinφ where φ
the geographical length of the place we want to put the clock. (For Athens the
geographical length is approximately 380).
From point Ο΄ we τα ευθύγραµµα τµήµατα που ενώνουν το Ο΄ µε τα ίχνη
που είχανε προσχεδιάσει.
We draw a circle or ellipse or square and the diagram of hours is ready.

8. A. GNOMON
The gnomon, whose shape follows underneath, is a chageable construction. Its
dimensions bear a relation to the dimensions of the diagram of hours and have to
be such so that side ΑΒ forms angle φ with the horizontal axis and casts shadow
cutting the ellipse of the diagram of hours.
Β
Α φ
The direction of the gnomon almost targets the North Pole. Also, the axis of rotation
of Earth targets as well the North Pole, in other words, both materialize into almost
parallel straight lines.