Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)
Did you know there is a world-class education and research center tucked away in the Pisgah National Forest high above Historic Toxaway?
You may not, since in its original iteration as a NASA tracking station in the ‘60s through later use as a Department of Defense satellite data collection point, the facility intentionally kept its activities on the down low.
Today, though, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) is well-known in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) circles for its range of hands-on educational and research opportunities. Key scientific instruments onsite include an array of radio telescopes (among them, two that measure 26 meters, or 85 ft across, and one nicknamed Smiley for its friendly yellow graphic, meant to say hello to Russians conducting flyover activity); a high-frequency solar antenna; a collection of optical telescopes that make up the public outreach observing facility; five weather and atmospheric monitoring stations; and various environmental monitoring instruments.
The facility is open to the public, though reservations via the website are required for visitors. Special public events are offered throughout the year. PARI offers a variety of educational camps and research opportunities, as well as business services like instrument hosting, satellite tracking and communications, and secure data services; there are also indoor museum galleries and outdoor paths for walking.
The site became a bit of a “star” in its own right during the August 2017 solar eclipse, as the Historic Toxaway area was within the 70-mile path of totality. Eclipse enthusiasts came from around the world to North Carolina to experience day turning to near-night for a matter of minutes, and over 1,000 of them participated in eclipse events at PARI. Of special significance, this was the first time that a solar eclipse was observable by a facility with large radio telescopes. PARI was able to make radio frequency observations of the Sun’s corona during the eclipse.
The radio telescope known as “Smiley” is a PARI visitor favorite.
Enthusiasts came from around the world to watch the 2017 solar eclipse at PARI.
According to Ken Steiner, a consultant on PARI special projects, about the only thing being kept on the down low these days are the lights, because the property has recently been designated an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association. PARI is one of just two International Dark Sky Parks in the state (the other is Mayland Earth to Sky Observatory, north of Asheville).
The Dark Sky certification process typically takes from 1-3 years. It involves extensive documentation, including the undertaking of a site-wide outdoor lighting inventory, then development and implementation of a lighting plan to identify those specific areas which need to be illuminated, as well as how to retrofit or upgrade light fixtures to environmentally-friendly specifications. This can be accomplished through shielding, turning the light off all or part of the time with timers and dimmers, and/or the general use of lower temperature lumen products.
The PARI facility lowered its operational lighting from 237 fixtures (wall packs, pole lights, and porch lights) to just a total of 84 onsite over the course of the project.
You can see the dramatic difference in these images from PARI’s Dark Sky Initiative application (taken before and after light shields were applied):
Looking down on the main campus from Building 28 ridge.
The Dark Sky process for PARI has also resulted in partnerships with several neighboring organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Cradle of Forestry and Gorges State Park. All of these entities record substantial traffic through their respective visitor centers where displays like those in the photo below can help to educate the public about PARI and the Dark Sky Initiative. Collectively, these groups also plan to co-sponsor star parties and special astronomical events for the general public.
Check out the new PARI website and plan a trip to immerse yourself in science, space and nature at this one-of-a-kind Historic Toxaway attraction. Call 828.862.5554 or email visit@pari.edu for complete information.
North side of Building 1 (note the 26m dish illuminated by up lighting at left)
Pole mounted flood fixtures, Building 27.
