Press release from the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute:
Nestled in the mountains of the Pisgah National Forest at a former historic NASA facility, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) in Transylvania County has been awarded the prestigious designation of International Dark Sky Park. This is in recognition of the exceptional quality of the night sky over PARI and the commitment to educational outreach. This certification means that PARI is protecting the beautiful dark night skies, allowing the Milky Way and other celestial objects to be clearly seen.PARI is founded on the proud science legacy of the US space and satellite research programs. Located in the heart of a breathtaking natural forest and dwelling under the dome of the dark sky, PARI is building on its historic past to create a destination for the study, celebration, and enjoyment of science.In order to be designated as an International Dark Sky Park, PARI had to meet stringent programming, monitoring and infrastructure requirements set forth by the International Dark Sky Association. Existing park lights were modified to be dark sky-friendly fixtures including low temperature (3000 degree Kelvin or less) bulbs, full cut-off shielding, motion detectors and timers. These changes enhance the natural darkness within the park.Activities and learning experiences abound at PARI for educators and their students at all levels — on campus, at school, locations elsewhere and online. In the summer of 2019, 727 students attended Space Camps at the PARI site. These experiences are specifically designed to support the curricula of both North and South Carolina. Approximately 2,700 students were served by PARI educational outreach experiences, and over 1,000 people visited the park for evening viewings and the enjoyment of celestial events. More information about PARI can be found at www.pari.edu.The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) established the International Dark Sky Places conservation program in 2001 to recognize excellent stewardship of the night sky. Designations are based on stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach. The IDA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, advocates for the protection of the night-time environment and dark night skies by educating policymakers and the public about night sky conservation and promoting environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. More information about IDA and its mission may be found at: www.darksky.org.Natural nighttime darkness is a rapidly vanishing resource east of the Mississippi River, and few locations remain where stargazers can find dark night skies within easy reach. The preservation of dark areas in parks and protected lands is important to ensure the wellbeing of wildlife and accessibility of dark skies for future generations. PARI is one of these critical nighttime habitats.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.