Github link: https://github.com/bigcrimping/flare_meter/

Xray Flare Meter

An Arduino Nano 33 IoT based gadget which interrogates the latest x-ray flare class information from NOAA GOES Satellite and shows the result visually.

Inspired by a burst of transmission errors picked up in my day job we linked back to a coronal mass ejection I wanted something to show me what the current state of solar flares is.

The data is provided by NOAA in JSON via the website here: https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/json/

The data presented is from the GOES 16 Satellite.

Using (the excellent) X.27 Stepper motor interface from snafu: https://www.tindie.com/products/boffin/serial-x27-stepper-motor-gauge/

The code is an amalgamation from the following sources

WiFi https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/libraries/wifinina/wifi.beginap/

SSL https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/libraries/wifinina/client.connectssl/

JSON Handling https://arduinojson.org/v6/api/json/deserializejson/

Project Code

The code is here: https://github.com/bigcrimping/flare_meter/tree/main/arduino_code/flare_meter_0.1

You will need to add your WiFi details to the arduino_secrets.h file for the network you wish to connect to.

Wiring

The wiring is as below, hook up for power/gnd/TX

Inside the chassis it looks like the below

Mechanical Files

The design comprises (from left to right) a Front Plate Spacer Back Plate (which mounts the motor) Chassis Rear Cover

The needle passes through the spacer to connect to the motor, the Arudino mounts to the Rear Cover with a dab of glue

The M3 nuts should be a press fit into the mounting holes but may require a dab of super glue.

Fixing required

10 x M3 nuts

10 x M3x12mm cap head bolts

STLs for printing available here: https://github.com/bigcrimping/flare_meter/tree/main/mechanics

Dial Artwork

Artwork can be found in PDF format here: https://github.com/bigcrimping/flare_meter/tree/main/dial_artwork

There are a few variations to choose from