Sundial At Sungai Menyala - A Unique Attraction For Astronomy Enthusiasts

PORT DICKSON, Aug 28  (Bernama) -- The sundial at the Astronomy Square in the Sungai Menyala Forest Reserve here has become a unique attraction for astronomy enthusiasts and falak (Islamic astronomy) students, while also serving as a hands-on educational tool for learning how to tell time based on the sun’s position.

Senior Forest Ranger at PD Forest Sungai Menyala, Ahmad Syafiq Abdul Aziz, said the idea to construct the sundial in 2023 was conceived as a value-added feature for the Astronomy Square, which was initially planned solely for astronomy-related activities.

He said the idea for the Astronomy Square came about after the Negeri Sembilan Observatory and the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council (MAINS) sought a location with minimal light pollution for astronomy activities.

“The Sungai Menyala Forest Reserve was identified as the most suitable location as it is shielded from light pollution from Port Dickson town and its surrounding areas.

“When the idea of establishing the Astronomy Square emerged, we looked for an additional astronomy-related feature, which led to the construction of the sundial.

“To this day, the site serves as a reference point, particularly for falak students and enthusiasts,” he told Bernama here today.

Ahmad Syafiq said the area also serves as an outdoor learning site for astronomy researchers and students from higher education institutions, including Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), providing them with an opportunity to learn firsthand how to read a sundial under actual field conditions.

He said the sundial provides highly accurate readings, adding that before it was opened to the public, the installation underwent three separate verification processes by the relevant authorities, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), to ensure 100 per cent accuracy.

“The sundial had to be installed precisely according to the specifications, taking into consideration its location as well as the positions of sunrise and sunset to ensure the readings remain accurate,” he said.

He explained that while a basic sundial requires only a gnomon (pointer), the large-scale sundial features an expanded structure with parallel lines, allowing the shadow to be read more accurately along a scale measuring approximately two metres in diameter.

The sundial was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the largest horizontal sundial located within a permanent forest reserve in Malaysia.

The Astronomy Square itself also received recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records in 2023 as the largest square located within a permanent forest reserve.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Syafiq said public response to PD Forest Sungai Menyala has been highly encouraging, with more than 13,000 visitors recorded last year, while nearly 8,000 people visited the site between January and July this year to enjoy its natural surroundings.

He said PD Forest, located within a permanent forest reserve, offers unique natural features and experiences that visitors should discover firsthand.

PD Forest is one of Port Dickson’s key ecotourism attractions. PD Forest@Sungai Menyala offers a lush environment rich in flora and fauna within a lowland dipterocarp forest, a forest type typically found at elevations of up to 300 metres above sea level.

Spanning 1,280 hectares, it is the country’s only remaining lowland forest of its kind.

PD Forest Sungai Menyala offers a range of forest-based activities, including jungle trekking, stargazing, cycling, night walks and camping, as well as facilities for courses, workshops and meetings.

-- BERNAMA