In this episode, Bill McGeeney interviews Vasu Menon, a NC State computer science student who created Stargazer.org - a revolutionary web app that solves every amateur astronomer's planning nightmare. Born from a frustrating full-moon stargazing trip to Virginia's Stanton River park, this tool combines dark sky locations, weather forecasts, and lunar data into one simple interface.

The Problem

• Multiple apps needed for stargazing planning
• Moon interference ruining viewing experiences
• Difficulty finding certified dark sky locations

The Solution: Stargazer.org Features

• Zip code-based dark sky location finder
• Integrated weather forecasting via OpenWeather API
• Lunar phase and brightness tracking
• Percentage-based scoring system for optimal viewing conditions
• Mobile-optimized interface

How It Works

• Enter your US zip code or use browser location
• Browse certified Dark Sky parks with distances
• View optimal dates with weather/astronomy scoring
• Plan trips based on comprehensive data

Future Development

• Community-submitted locations with reviews
• Upvoting/downvoting system for spots
• Open source GitHub repository for contributors
• Expanded Bortle scale coverage

Episode Quotes

"I realized like there has to be like a kind of like a one stop solution to like, you know, for like amateur people just to click a button and see the best times to go stargazing." - Vasu Menon

"This right here... I just punch in my zip code, it brings up some good spots, and then it tells me even better what the opportunities might be, what percentage opportunities I have at those nights." - Bill McGeeney

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The path to sustainable starry night solutions begin with being a more informed you.

Light Pollution, once thought to be solely detrimental to astronomers, has proven to be an impactful issue across many disciplines of society including ecology, crime, technology, health, and much more!

But not all is lost! There are simple solutions that provide for big impacts. Each month, Bill McGeeney, is joined by upwards of three guests to help you grow your awareness and understanding of both the challenges and the road to recovering our disappearing nighttime ecosystem.