The Time and Space competition challenged you to build time and space projects such as an astronomical clock, timer, or capture sounds of space via radio, gravity measuring, or a GPS clock using an Arduino board of your choice.
This will be the last Project14 contest that I will host and having been there for the very first one, I can't think of a more appropriate way to close out my time hear than with a Project14 contest. It's fittingly on the anniversary of the birth of the program in April of 2017. Because its the birthday celebration and our annual Arduino Day contest, participants had a chance to win double the shopping cart prizes. On the birthday of this program, which happens to be my final Project14 contest, having been a part of every contest, since the first one, it's only fitting that we go full circle with a theme around Time & Space.
The Grand Prize goes to shabaz and he's the winner of a two way tie with himself for StarMap: Charting the Stars with Arduino and Fun With Arduino, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Teseo III . As the Grand Prize Winner he deservedly wins a shopping cart of $400!
The three runner ups each win a prize of $200.
The winners are ntewinkel for Rocket Cat Goes To Space,
balajivan1995 for Enhanced Digital GPS Clock with satellite tracking , and
Steve524 for Nixie Tube Clock With Arduino Mega 2560 .
Without further ado here are your winners....
Grand Prize:
StarMap: Charting the Stars with Arduino by shabaz
The Time & Space theme inspired shabaz to do an exploration into whether a modern Arduino could chart the stars. His goal was to create a standalone planetarium device using an Arduino, enabling users to view real-time positions of stars, the moon, and planets. The project was broken into four parts: developing an Arduino library called Starmap for star positions, setting up a circular TFT display, figuring out storage for large star data, and incorporating a GPS module to automatically set the location and time. The result is a portable star charting device that works independently, without needing internet access. Although the initial prototype used a small, watch-sized circular display, the project has potential for expansion, such as using larger screens or even controlling telescopes. The code and libraries are available for further development, with future plans including creating a desktop star chart clock and refining the display for better usability.
Fun With Arduino, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Teseo III by shabaz
This second project from shabaz involved creating a GNSS receiver using a Lantronix Teseo III module and an Arduino Uno R4 Minima. The author, new to GNSS and GPS technology, explored how satellite navigation systems work and documented the process of building a prototype. Satellites transmit timing and positional data, which are decoded by a GNSS receiver using a method called Spread Spectrum communication. The project required choosing a suitable GNSS module and antenna, and building a prototype on a copper-clad board. Despite initial challenges, the prototype successfully received satellite signals and provided location data. The author created a custom Arduino library to decode NMEA sentences from the GNSS module, which provided information such as time, location, and satellite details. The next step involved designing a PCB to replace the makeshift prototype, aiming for improved performance and ease of use. The project highlighted the complexities of satellite navigation and the hands-on approach to learning and development in electronics.
First Place Winners:
Rocket Cat Goes To Space by ntewinkel
For the Time and Space contest, ntewinkel teamed up with my artistically inclined wife, SuperArtGirl, to create a whimsical project that sends a cat into space using an Arduino R4 Minima and assorted hardware. The concept was sparked when he casually mentioned the contest, and she eagerly produced a detailed prototype. The project employs various components, including a dual 7-segment display, a servo motor, and a repurposed motor from a robot-worm kit to lift a cardboard rocket. The construction involved a lot of experimentation, particularly with finding the right motor to elevate the rocket. His wife’s artistic talent brought the scene to life with a beautifully painted and creatively assembled box. The countdown timer and motor control were managed using simple yet effective Arduino code, creating a fun, time-sensitive setup. The result is a charming blend of art and technology, where a countdown clock ticks away, and a rocket complete with a waving alien launching into space. This collaborative effort not only met the contest's theme of "Time and Space" but also underscored the joy of combining artistic creativity with technical skills.
Enhanced Digital GPS Clock with satellite tracking by balajivan1995
In this project, balajivan1995 developed an enhanced digital GPS clock that not only displays the current time and date but also tracks the number of satellites overhead and can show the time across different time zones. Utilizing a GPS receiver integrated with a Waveshare SIM7600 LTE module and an ESP32 microcontroller, the clock ensures precise timekeeping by leveraging satellite data, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. A visually appealing DWIN HMI display presents the information, while a 3D-printed pen stand serves as a custom enclosure. The clock includes features like satellite tracking, showing the number of GPS, GLONASS, and BEIDOU satellites in orbit, and the capability to display geographic coordinates and altitude. The project also explores the addition of an alarm system, though this feature is still under development. Overall, this DIY GPS clock project combines technology and customization to offer a unique, accurate, and visually engaging timekeeping solution.
Nixie Tube Clock With Arduino Mega 2560 by Steve524
This project by Steve524 repurposes an old Nixie tube display rack by integrating it with an Arduino Mega 2560 and a DS1307 Real-Time Clock (RTC) to create a vintage-style clock with additional functionalities. The Nixie tubes, driven by SN74141 BCD to Nixie drivers, display the time with hours and minutes in the frequency section and seconds in the noise section. A DHT11 sensor adds the capability to measure and display temperature and humidity in the level section. The clock features two LEDs that blink alternately driven by the RTC's 1 Hertz square wave output, indicating AM/PM and temperature trends. The setup includes a 5V power supply, a high voltage supply with a heat sink, and a thumb wheel for setting the time. The Arduino Mega is connected to the Nixie tubes via a breadboard shield and a breakout shield, ensuring all components are neatly interfaced. The project, still in progress, awaits the installation of wiring and boards into a 19-inch rack, blending vintage aesthetics with modern technology.
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