Hey! This thing is still a Work in Progress.
Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!
Aurora Monitor V1
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Published on June 29, 2012
Description
See also thingiverse.com/thing:47973 for a version with an LCD screen.
It's that time. We're approaching Solar Maximum and chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights are increasing worldwide.
Seeing the aurora is usually difficult, due to a lack of accurate information specific for your location. Add poor locations, light polluted skies, clouds and sometimes only a 30 min window of opportunity..., it can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Many think Auroras are limited to the Arctic. But, unless you live at the equator (and it's even seen there occasionally), you too can see it if you're in the right place at the right time.
The aurora monitor is a technology I've been using for a long time to take photographs of the aurora (attached). I've updated this technology for Thingiverse and made it a stand alone Arduino based unit which you setup for your location.
An RGB Led indicates if there's an aurora active for your location with 30-60min advance warning. The strength of the storm is indicated by the auroral color of the Led. Accuracy is around 95%.
Detailed information can be Tweeted too. Here's the feed for my location: twitter.com/AuroraAdec)
The Inukshuk was created from a 2D grayscale image using OmNomNom Creator: thingiverse.com/thing:24639
This was printed on a Tom using Jetty Accelerated Firmware at 100mm/s: thingiverse.com/thing:17855
It's that time. We're approaching Solar Maximum and chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights are increasing worldwide.
Seeing the aurora is usually difficult, due to a lack of accurate information specific for your location. Add poor locations, light polluted skies, clouds and sometimes only a 30 min window of opportunity..., it can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Many think Auroras are limited to the Arctic. But, unless you live at the equator (and it's even seen there occasionally), you too can see it if you're in the right place at the right time.
The aurora monitor is a technology I've been using for a long time to take photographs of the aurora (attached). I've updated this technology for Thingiverse and made it a stand alone Arduino based unit which you setup for your location.
An RGB Led indicates if there's an aurora active for your location with 30-60min advance warning. The strength of the storm is indicated by the auroral color of the Led. Accuracy is around 95%.
Detailed information can be Tweeted too. Here's the feed for my location: twitter.com/AuroraAdec)
The Inukshuk was created from a 2D grayscale image using OmNomNom Creator: thingiverse.com/thing:24639
This was printed on a Tom using Jetty Accelerated Firmware at 100mm/s: thingiverse.com/thing:17855
Instructions
This project is a very easy build, requiring only basic soldering skills, network setup and arduino skills.
You need:
1. Arduino capable of Wifi or Ethernet, these ones I've tested:
robotshop.com/productinfo.aspx?pc=RB-Lin-40&lang=en-US
arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardEthernet/
2. 10mm RGB Common Anode LED, I used this:
evilmadscience.com/productsmenu/partsmenu/329
3. Resistor x 3, if using the above LED, then 100 Ohm x 2, 150 Ohm (for red)
4. Miscellaneous: A strip of header pins, wire, heat shrink or tape
5. 9V (12V Max) Power supply for your Arduino (also a USB can be used for power)
Source code can be found here: github.com/jetty840/AuroraMonitor
Viewing tips for the Aurora can be found in the attached instructions.
You need:
1. Arduino capable of Wifi or Ethernet, these ones I've tested:
robotshop.com/productinfo.aspx?pc=RB-Lin-40&lang=en-US
arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardEthernet/
2. 10mm RGB Common Anode LED, I used this:
evilmadscience.com/productsmenu/partsmenu/329
3. Resistor x 3, if using the above LED, then 100 Ohm x 2, 150 Ohm (for red)
4. Miscellaneous: A strip of header pins, wire, heat shrink or tape
5. 9V (12V Max) Power supply for your Arduino (also a USB can be used for power)
Source code can be found here: github.com/jetty840/AuroraMonitor
Viewing tips for the Aurora can be found in the attached instructions.
License
Aurora Monitor V1 by jetty is licensed under the Attribution - Non-Commercial - Creative Commons license.
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I love this thing. I still in the middle of printing the 3D parts. Sadly a few days ago the thingtweet stopped working. I ran a thingtweet test script to make sure the problem was not with my Ardiuno. I'll post the error when I get home from work.
Great, glad you like it. Let me know what you find with the thingtweet. incidentally, I'm working on Version 2 currently. It's basically just an extension to this version, but you can add on an LCD to give you the current Kp Index etc. without having to use twitter and the ETA. Also has a push button. I'll probably keep the Inukshuk, but change the base to something more elegant.