The Adirondack Sky Center (a.k.a. the Adirondack Public Observatory) has been awarded three grants to support planned AstroScience Center museum and planetarium construction and education programs.
Situated on four acres of raised land in the northerly area of Tupper Lake, the Adirondack Sky Center benefits from some of the darkest and most pristine skies east of the Mississippi River. Interest from across the northeast as well as the local community has spurred the establishment of a permanent Adirondack center for astronomy and space science, the AstroScience Center. Complementing the Wild Center natural history museum, the Adirondack Sky Center is expected to help expand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning in the region, while also strengthening the the Adirondacks as a travel destination.
The AstroScience Center museum, which organizers anticipate will open in five years, is the second building being constructed to comprise the Adirondack Sky Center campus on Big Wolf Road. The Observatory was completed in 2013, the Learning Lean-to will be completed this year, and a 24” reflecting Research Telescope will cap the project. The science center is planning to provide astronomy-related experiences for visitors, day or night, in clear or cloudy weather, including a Planetarium, Lecture Hall, Interactive Classroom, and more.
With support from State Senator Betty Little, the Sky Center will receive $200,000 toward the AstroScience Center building through the State and Municipal (SAM) Facilities program.
Education activities are already being offered year-round in the Sky Center Activity Room at the organization’s Office and Gift Shop, 36 High Street in Tupper Lake and in other local venues. Select activities will be supported in 2019 by a grant from the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, which is “dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park.”
Individuals can contribute to the project online, or by calling (518) 359-3538.
Photo of Rendering of planned AstroScience Center provided.
A version of this article first appeared on the Adirondack Almanack.
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