What is the purpose of the sunshine recorder?

A sunshine recorder is an instrument used to measure and record the duration of sunlight at a specific location. It typically consists of a glass sphere that focuses sunlight onto a recording medium, such as a strip of paper, which gets burned in proportion to the amount of sunlight received. This data helps meteorologists and climatologists analyze weather patterns, assess solar energy potential, and study climate changes over time. By tracking sunlight exposure, it also aids in agricultural planning and ecological studies.