The Learning Center at PARI: Science In Our Backyard
on the eastern rim of the Historic Toxaway area, tucked away in Pisgah National Forest, is a decommissioned NASA site that played a pivotal role in early space exploration, Cold War signal interception and many other classified pursuits. What is now the Learning Center at PARI was once the Rosman Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition Facility.
An aerial view of the Learning Center at PARI campus.
The campus was commissioned in the early 1960s as a NASA facility to aid the U.S. efforts in space exploration. The instruments at the tracking station were vital in communicating with satellites and manned space flights as they passed over the eastern U.S. The research and development taking place on the campus was also critical for the development of many tools we now use everyday. The GPS, weather satellites and transmission of color TV signals were all studied and partly developed in our backyard! The station even played a role in the moon landing. [1]
Less than 20 years after the facility was built, it was taken over by the Department of Defense to aid in the Cold War efforts. It was well known that the Russian government was very interested in the instruments and happenings on the campus so they regularly flew satellites over our mountains to take pictures. As a joke, a giant smiley face was painted on a 4.6m radio telescope so that the Russians received a friendly wave with each picture they took.
Other telescopes were used in intercepting Russian signals. These were partly hidden so Russian intelligence wouldn’t be able to see which way they were pointing. The work was highly classified and those who worked at the campus were not allowed to discuss what they did, even with family and friends.
Some interesting speculation about activity at the site was addressed in a December 2010 feature, here.
In 1995, the federal government decided to shift these efforts to other locations, and the facility was closed. The property was then turned over to the US Forest Service with a plan to simply let mother nature take back what was once hers – and the site remained abandoned for several years before an interesting turn of events led to a new opportunity.
That’s when Don Cline of Greensboro, N.C. (pictured left) entered the picture. After retiring from a technology career, Don had become an enthusiast of science education. He especially believed that the youth of America should understand that astronomy and science careers were exciting, meaningful, and attainable.
A 2014 feature sums it up nicely: “As part of his efforts, Cline donated money to build observatories with reflecting telescopes at two North Carolina colleges, as well as a new visitor center at an existing observatory for another in-state school. At some point in this process, Cline learned about Rosman and its old radio antennas. He drove over for a visit in 1997, thinking one of them could be moved and used as a telescope at a nearby university.
When he arrived at Rosman, though, Cline had to laugh at what he saw. The radio antennas were massive, with the largest two standing 150 feet tall and weighing 350 tons above ground. No way were they going anywhere. That’s when another idea began to take hold: Why not turn the abandoned site into a cutting-edge science center? It took a couple of years, a big check, and an act of Congress, but Cline found a way.”[2]
In January 1999, Don Cline (officially, PARI’s president and chairman of the board) bought and gifted the tracking station to a recently formed not-for-profit foundation, and the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute was born. PARI opened to the public and became a center for research. It also offered STEM opportunities for students of all ages.
Then in 2018, the site evolved once again. PARI transitioned to the Learning Center at PARI and now hosts numerous summer camps and provides field study opportunities. Research fellows are given the opportunity to learn in a beautiful setting. Internships and small group projects are taking place as you read this article. Planning for nexy year’s summer camps is in full gear. The Learning Center at PARI is an active campus full of opportunity.
Like many other sites in Historic Toxaway, the PARI property has a fascinating history, and it is partners like the Learning Center at PARI that make our shared future so bright. Please support this phenomenal program by visiting with your kids and grandkids or contributing financially.
Learn more about the astronomical opportunities provided at the Learning Center at PARI by visiting https://www.pari.edu.
SOURCES:
[1] Transylvania Times, Picturing the Past: Rosman Tracking Station Supports Apollo Mission, July 15, 2019
[2] Our State, From Space Flights to Starry Nights at PARI, December 15, 2014
