Why It's So Bright at Night? Interview with Vasudev Menon on Stargazr.org

Submit Voicemail! 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 ProblemMultiple apps needed for stargazing planningMoon interference ruining viewing experiencesDifficulty finding certified dark sky locationsThe Solution: Stargazer.org FeaturesZip code-based dark sky location finderIntegrated weather forecasting via OpenWeather APILunar phase and brightness trackingPercentage-based scoring system for optimal viewing conditionsMobile-optimized interfaceHow It WorksEnter your US zip code or use browser locationBrowse certified Dark Sky parks with distancesView optimal dates with weather/astronomy scoringPlan trips based on comprehensive dataFuture DevelopmentCommunity-submitted locations with reviewsUpvoting/downvoting system for spotsOpen source GitHub repository for contributorsExpanded Bortle scale coverageEpisode 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 McGeeneySupport the showA hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That’s $3 a month. If you like what we’re doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!Why Support Light Pollution News?Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.About Light Pollution News:Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way? Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...