Enjoy Science and Discovery at PARI
Whether you explore independently at your own pace or book a guided tour, there is plenty to discover and learn.
You'll see our historic campus, initially a NASA satellite tracking station during the 1960's and 1970's, and learn about the role it played in the race to space. Then, find out the exciting and important missions we still assist with today!
Take in the impressive views of our massive radio telescopes that allow us to communicate at great distances and collect light to reveal things beyond what human eyes can perceive.
Explore our museum exhibits displaying a collection of rare meteorites, thousands of minerals from around the world, and NASA space artifacts, many of which have flown in space.
Tours are typically available during PARI museum hours as long as other activities or events are not occuring that require the facilities or the attention of the staff. Though our goal is to maintain availability for the causal visitor when possible, our priority is to support research and education. When these are occuring, site access may be limited.
Tour at your own pace
$12 per person; call ahead or view our calendar to check availability
For those who want to browse and let their curiosity lead the way. A self guided tour lets you set the pace and spend time with what interests you most.
This option gives you access to our operations center, NASA gallery, mineral and meteorite galleries, and fluorescent mineral tunnel. You may also explore some outdoor portions of the site and take our Galaxy Walk, visit the Whisper Dishes, or trek up to the highest point on site to take in stunning views. Outdoor picnic tables are available for a lunch break.
Many exhibits have interactive components and include options to use your own device to dive deeper and learn more.
Because this tour option is only available when the site is not occupied by other groups like scouts, school field trips, or private events, we strongly recommend calling a few days ahead to check availability.
We are usually open for self guided tours on weekdays and some Saturdays beginning at 10:00am. Our site usually closes at 5:00pm and most parties take two or more hours to see the museum, so we recommend arriving no later than 3:00pm.
2 hour scientist guided museum tour
$150 for up to 10 guests; $15 for each
additional guest. By reservation only*
The Guided Gallery Tour starts with a look at the Electromagnetic Spectrum, where we discuss how light is used to reveal qualities of objects in space. We’ll use examples and activities to show how we collect and use this information to learn about the universe around us or communicate over vast distances.
We’ll visit the Operations Center, where our telescopes, antennas, and earth science instruments are controlled. How they point, move, and what their data looks like will be revealed. Visitors will learn how 3D Printers use data to create tactile models of the terrain of other planets and examine what a crater on the Moon or a volcano on Mars feels like. We’ll also discuss how machines, like rovers and orbiters, help gather the data used to explore the places humans can’t safely go.
In the NASA gallery, visitors discover a collection of objects from throughout the history of space exploration. You'll see a NASA-built model of the Apollo Lunar lander; the ATS6 satellite, responsible for the first satellite television; and an actual Redstone rocket engine that was one of the first to carry humans to space; and many other instruments, models, and artifacts.
We’ll then move on to our galleries which feature meteorites from all over the world, including some from the Moon and Mars, and one that is thought to be a piece of the rarest type of meteorite in existence. Our impressive collection of gems, fossils, and minerals from throughout North Carolina and the world are also on display, including a 15.3 carat emerald, a sample of radioactive uranium ore, rubies and amethyst, garnets, quartz and mica, to name a few. You can even see a dinosaur egg and footprints!
To complete the tour, we enter a dark tunnel to discover the hidden secrets of fluorescent minerals. These rocks look normal under light from the sun or a bulb, but reveal something entirely different when illuminated with varying frequencies of ultraviolet light.
4 hour scientist guided tour
$500 for up to 10 guests; $50 for each
additional guest. By reservation only*
This deeper look at the PARI site gets up close and personal with the instruments, archives, and eras of our history in space. The VIP tour includes the Guided Gallery Tour plus two additional activities.
Your tour will include two of the following:
Get a closer, hands-on look at one of our large radio telescopes! Visitors will learn how it operates and is controlled—and may even be able to capture data of an exploded star or rotating ball of gas. We’ll take a look at our tunnel system, which connects the original NASA buildings and provides safe and secure access to the data, power and water systems that keep the site operational for its essential role in space exploration.
Visit one of the largest archives of astronomical data in the world, the Astronomical Photographic Data Archive (APDA). This 100+ year-old collection contains data that is still relevant and in use today. Visitors will learn how the frontiers of astrophysics research can be pushed forward with something as simple as glass plates.
Visit the optical ridge where our research-grade telescopes are housed and use the historic, giant, Russian spy binoculars that can see as far as the distant Blue Ridge Parkway.
Experience an astronomer guided journey through the night sky in our planetarium. An experienced guide will take you on a live tour of what you can see above on a dark clear night during the current time of year. You'll learn how to recognize planets, constellations, and find the location where deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae are waiting to be revealed.
Are the options above not quite right?
For longer tours or different topics, take a look at our program menu. Add some time to your visit or swap out some activities to find the itinerary that suits you and your party. If a planetarium show followed by learning how to identify meteorites and a finale of rocket launching sounds right, we’ll make it happen. (Additional costs may apply for longer visits or activities requiring supplies & materials).
Tours can also be added to overnight stays.
Curious about what you see here? View our Frequently Asked Questions? They might have the answer you need!
Jump to our Calendar for all of our upcoming events!
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