Universal equinoctial dial for latitudes 0°-80° North. The dial-plate is rectangular with a semicircular extension at the South end to accommodate the compass. It is supported by four brass feet. The East side of its obverse face displays a table of latitudes of towns and cities in Europe and the West side is engraved with a latitude scale, marked 'Scala altitudinis Poli' (Scale of the height of the Pole). The reverse side has on it a volvelle, to give the length of day and night and the times of sunrise and sunset for any date in a latitude of 48° North.

The compass is situated on top of the dial-plate and shows the meridian and also a line to indicate the magnetic variation at 20° West of North. The hour-circle is hinged to the North end of the dial-plate. A silver strut across the East-West diameter of the ring supports the silver rod gnomon and the West side of the ring carries a rotatable strut which can be positioned along the latitude scale in order to set the dial to the correct position for the required latitude. On the obverse side of the dial-plate, it is signed 'MF. Poppel'.

While this dial can be used in most northern latitudes, the volvelle on the back is calibrated for a latitude of 48° North: that of Passau, where Poppel worked.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.