NC Museum of Natural Sciences Team Visits PARI

A team of scientists from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences came to PARI on Thursday, May 8th to examine the many natural science elements that are part of the PARI campus. The team included: Jesse Perry, Director of Public Programs; Mary Ann Brittain, Director of Prairie Ridge; Charles Yelton, Curator of Programs and Technology at Prairie Ridge; Melissa Dowland, Teacher Education Specialist; Art Bogan, Curator of Aquatic Invertebrates and John Connors, Coordinator of Naturalist Center. Click PHOTOS to see pictures from their visit.

May 9th Evening at PARI to Feature Talk on Meteorites 

The Friday May 9th Evening at PARI will feature a presentation on meteorites by PARI President Don Cline. In addition to his lecture on meteorites, Don will display several rare pieces from his private collection. Click PHOTOS to see pictures from a previous program by Don. Click PHOTOS to see pictures from the April 11th program by Christi Whitworth on light pollution. Click Evening at PARI to find out how to register for this for future programs.

PARI Holds Ninth Annual SPACE DAY Open House

Saturday, May 3rd, PARI held its ninth annual SPACE DAY open house. More than 300 visitors came to PARI to attend presentations on the many research and educational activities at PARI. They were treated to guided bus tours by Don Cline and Joe Phillips and attended several planetarium shows led by Dr. Bob Hayward and Science Educator Christi Whitworth. Visitors also toured the Astronomical Photographic Data Archive with presentations by Director Thurburn Barker. And many more activities. Click SPACE DAY PHOTOS to see pictures from the event.

Spring Homeschool Day at PARI Held Friday, May 2nd

On May 2, 2008 we presented the Spring PARI Homeschool Day. This twice-a-year day-long program provides age specific programs for homeschoolers and their parents from throughout the region. The theme for this Homeschool Day was the study of planetary atmospheres. Click PHOTOS to see pictures from the Homeschool Day.

PARI President Don Cline Named CHAMPION OF SCIENCE

PARI President Don Cline attended the April 19th banquet of the NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center where he was honored as a Champion of Science. In presenting the award to Don the NCSMTEC said that the "committee was impressed by your deep personal commitment not only to save the Rosman Research facility but to create opportunities for hands-on science research." Several PARI staff and friends attended the banquet in Cary, NC honoring Don including: Jo Cline, Michael and Liz Castelaz, Christi Whitworth and John and Marti Avant.

Weekly Tours of PARI Continue in 2008

Tours continue every Wednesday at PARI at 2:00 pm. The tours are being led by trained docents who give visitors a behind-the-scene look at PARI. Visitors are able to spend time observing the exciting education and research programs at PARI. Click TOURS for more information about how to sign up for a Wednesday afternoon tour. Click PHOTOS to see pictures from the most recent tours.

PARI Receives Equipment from NASA and STSci

PARI President Don Cline, Vice President Dave Clavier and Site Engineer Ben Goldsmith were in Baltimore the first week in April picking up a very exciting equipment donation from NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STSci). They were assisted by the president of IPD Tech Larry Avril. NASA and STSci donated two historic and valuable instruments that will support our Astronomical Photographic Data Archive (APDA). The microdensitometers were used to scan the plates of the night sky used to plan the Hubble Telescope project. At PARI these instruments will be used to scan APDA plates and film. Click PHOTOS to see pictures of theses research instruments and the move.

Friends of PARI Volunteers Help with Data Center Move

On Saturday, April 12th several Friends of PARI volunteers spent the day assisting PARI CIO Lamar Owen, Site Engineer Ben Goldsmith and Science Educator move equipment into PARI's newly constructed Data Center. The new Center will provide enhanced RF shielding and more space for PARI's increased computing power and storage capacity. Click PHOTOS to see pictures from the move. 

PARI Presents Astronomy Awards at NC State Science Fair

Science Educator Beth Harris presented Astronomy Awards to students from Murrayville Elementary in Wilmington, Brodgen Middle School in Durham and the NC School of Math and Science in Durham at the recent North Carolina State Science Fair. Click PHOTOS to see pictures of the award recipients. Click NEWS RELEASE to read about the winners.

Photos of the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute 

 Located on the site of the former NASA Rosman Tracking Station in the Pisgah National Forest, PARI offers an unparalleled opportunity for people of all ages to experience the wonders of scientific research first hand. Click PHOTOS to see pictures of PARI taken at various times throughout the year.