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J. D. Cline, M. W. Castelaz, C. S. Osborne (Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute), D. A. Moffett (Furman University)
The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) is a radio and optical observatory located in the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. PARI is a facility for astronomers who seek use of radio and optical telescopes for surveys, long-term periodic observations, instrumentation development, and education. Research may be done as sabbatical, postdoctoral, thesis research or with consortia or the participation of PARI personnel. Undergraduate students may also do research with PARI personnel, or with astronomers on sabbatical. PARI also hosts high school students Senior projects, and teachers for continuing education.
Two 26-m radio telescopes are available. The telescopes, along a nearly East-West 300-m baseline, each have 1.42, 4.85, and 12.2 GHz ambient temperature receivers. The receiver signals are detected by spectrometers capable of 5 KHz spectral resolution and up to 4 MHz bandwidths. The control system of the spectrometers allows simultaneous measurement of the spectrum, total flux within the bandpass, and raster scan spectrum and flux mapping. The telescopes point to within 3 arcminutes and track at sidereal or custom rates. Tracking can be refined by optical autoguide cameras. We will present examples of spectra and maps.
Optical telescopes and instruments have been installed by visiting astronomers for a survey of binary low-mass star systems. PARI also has a 0.18-m optical telescope for wide field photometry remotely. Also, a set of small optical telescopes are dedicated to remote solar/lunar observations and atmospheric seeing and transparency monitoring. Laboratory space for visiting astronomers, engineers, computer scientists, and physicists is also available.
Astronomers and instrumentation engineers will find the optical and 26-m radio telescopes ideal for teaching observing techniques to students, preparation for observations at other observatories, and proof-of-concept work for instrumentation development.
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