Light Bulb PCB

Posted on November 5, 2017

As part of a Halloween costume (I was a “bright idea”), I designed a light bulb PCB, which was mostly just an excuse to try out PCBmodE. It consists of seven addressable RGB LEDs, an ATtiny85 microcontroller, an ambient light sensor, and a rechargeable battery. The battery and an old hard drive magnet, for mounting the PCB, are attached to the back via double-sided tape. As one might expect, PCBmodeE worked well for this artistic circuit board design, given that it was designed to be used for something like this, but KiCad is much easier to use for just about everything else.

Light Bulb PCB: Front Continue reading →

Posted in | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos

Posted on October 31, 2017

While recently in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, I drove out towards Argentina to look at the national flamingo reserve, which consists of a number of salt lakes (with flamingos). There are also other interesting geologic formations including rocks sticking out of the desert, the “Monjes de la Pacana.” Here are some photos of the reserve.Laguna Aguas Calientes Continue reading →

Posted in | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Posted on September 30, 2017

After viewing the total solar eclipse last month, I visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the way back from Tennessee, as well as the Cherohala Skyway, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Mount Mitchell. Here are some photos of the park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Continue reading →

Posted in | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Solar Eclipse

Posted on August 29, 2017

Last week, I watched the total solar eclipse from eastern Tennessee, across the Tennessee River from the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. I was originally planning on watching it from the mountains on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, but the cloud cover forecast the day of predicted much better weather farther west.

Partial Eclipse Continue reading →

Posted in | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Solar Filter Holder

Posted on July 31, 2017

With a total solar eclipse in the continental United States coming up next month, I purchased a solar filter for my telephoto lens. Unfortunately, this OD 5.0 solar filter, which is required for safe optical viewing is much too dark for optimal photography. This led me to purchase a sheet of OD 3.8 photographic solar filter film (from Europe, since no one seems to sell it in the United States). This film requires a holder, and while I could have made a paper holder, I opted to 3D print one instead. By making the inside diameter slightly larger than the lens’ outside diameter, it fits in place snuggly, and is much sturdier than a paper holder. The film is cut to size and sandwiched between the two 3D printed segments using double-sided tape. The screws I used in the first holder proved unnecessary, so I left them out on the second holder I made.

Solar Filter Holders Continue reading →

Posted in | Tagged , , | Leave a comment