I had the idea (during the recent lightning storms) to record the rate of lightning strikes. There were a couple of ways to do it, I think
- detect the radio from the lightning. Might be able to get the direction with this, if the adc is fast enough.
- just us a mic to pick up the thunder
I would like to keep the logs, so it would also require sending the data back to the computer. One of the things that I think is pretty neat is that I can keep the program and hardware in a little box, then when the storm comes, load it onto the board, hook up the detectors, and be logging stuff. Someday I may have two arduino boards and can dispense with that kind of nonsense!
[later edit] Popov invented an early radio, which he later developed into a lightening detection system (according to wikipedia). I think he used a coherer (how to make) to do it, so I might try and do the same thing. A coherer is impressively easy to make, but the unlatching system is a bit harder. Either way, it shouldn’t be too hard to build.
