The flagship research programs at PARI are in astronomy.  However, the PARI campus is also well situated to accommodate other scientific disciplines such as atmospheric science and environmental science.  Scientists in disciplines requiring a stable, quiet environment, with little light and radio inteference pollution, situated in a remote but easily accessible area, and connected to the Internet, are invited to contact PARI for use of the campus.

PARI fills a niche in observational astronomy by supporting monitoring, survey, and target of opportunity programs for visiting scientists.  The programs may take advantage of existing infrastructure and instruments at PARI, or may be provided by researchers.  For example, any of the PARI radio telescopes may be used as a testbed for the development of new receivers.  Or, a 5000 sq ft optical building with a 1-m thick  reinforced concrete floor at PARI  and isolated on southwestern edge of campus is suitable for laser and optics lab work.  Internet access is available across the 200 acre campus, so experiments may be controlled remotely. Labs, offices, and housing are available. Visiting scientists may stay for a semester on the PARI campus, may schedule periodic visits, or operate their experiments remotely. Visiting scientists may be individuals, postdoctoral researchers, or members of a consortium or observing campaign.

The formation of  new consortia for the enhancement of their members' research and education programs is encouraged.  A consortium may be a theoretical astrophysics research group, an observational astronomy group, or instrumentation engineers, for example.  The telescopes at PARI may be used by consortium members for world-wide observing campaigns.  Or, members may develop and support existing or new telescopes at PARI. Existing consortia are also invited to take advantage of the infrastructure and instruments on the PARI campus.

In order to pursue opportunities, or request more information, please contact
Michael Castelaz
mcastelaz@pari.edu
828-966-4207

The initial contact is normally followed by a request for a 2-3 page project description and a request for a meeting to discuss logistics and schedule.

For specific logistics and technical questions, contact:

• Dave Clavier for administrative (e.g. room & board, staff assistance, costs):  (dclavier@pari.edu)
• Don Cline for long term planning (dcline@pari.edu)
• Lamar Owen for information technology questions (lowen@pari.edu)

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute 
1 PARI Drive
Rosman, NC  28772
828-862-5554
Internet:  www.pari.edu

PARI is a not-for-profit public foundation.  As such, we ask that visiting scientists secure funding to support their research.  PARI’s Site Administration works closely with visiting scientists to help minimize cost associated with staff and equipment support.  Please see the rate schedule on the PARI website.