Astronomical Photographic Data Archive

Photographic plates were the primary data recording medium for generations of astronomers, spanning over 130 years. The data is precious, and we cannot go back in time to image the sky as it appeared to generations of astronomers. A danger exists today for the safety of these plates, estimated at over 2 million. Observatories and universities are space limited and some seek a safe home for the legacy left by so many astronomers.

PARI provides space, infrastructure, and Internet access. The goal is to make the archive a resource harnessed by present and generations of astronomers. We look forward to serving the astronomical community as a vital archival resource for future research projects. Learn more about this project. 

Click here to Download a poster presented at the 211th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January 2008. 

Books and Journals

Visiting researchers and students, as well as permanent PARI staff, have access to a large collection of astronomical, physical, and mathematical books and principal journals in astronomy and related sciences.

Through purchase and donations, PARI has been steadily building a collection of journals, textbooks and treatises, and reference works in the physical sciences, mathematics, computer science and engineering. The collection still has many needs, so acquisition will be a continuing effort.

The collection is being consolidated into an library area adjacent to the media center in Building 1. The area is also convenient to professional staff offices and the main antenna control room. Work is already in progress; when complete, the library will have a digital catalog, Internet access, patron reading and desk furniture, shelving for 20,000 volumes and a separate workroom for a librarian.

Books and journals have been donated by a wide variety of people and libraries. Holdings include:

• The Astronomical Journal (complete from volume 1)
• The Astrophysical Journal
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Publicatons of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
• Monthly Notices of the RAS
• Nature
• Science