TUPPER LAKE — The plans for an Astro-Science center museum and planetarium here will be unveiled to the public at an open house on Friday at the Adirondack Sky Center roll-off roof observatory.

The ASC recently changed its name from the Adirondack Public Observatory as it moves forward with its ambitious museum plans.

Attendees can enjoy free popcorn, lemonade and music as they tour the outlines of the new center on the same property, which will be staked out on the grounds so visitors can picture themselves in the planetarium, exhibit hall or astronomy archive room.

Situated on four acres of raised land in the northerly area of Tupper Lake, the ASC benefits from some of the darkest skies and most pristine atmosphere east of the Mississippi River.

Interest from across the U.S. northeast and the local community has spurred the ASC to establish a permanent Adirondack center for astronomy and space science, the Astro-Science center. Complementing The Wild Center natural history museum, the ASC’s Astro-Science center will expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in the region, while also strengthening Tupper Lake’s appeal as a meaningful travel destination.

The ASC completed phases 1 and 2 of its full plans and is working on Phase 3 now. Phase 1 focused on development of the roll-off rooftop observatory, completed in 2012, where stargazing takes place year-round.

In 2016 phase 2 was completed, wherein Envision Architects developed options for site and building plan concepts. A preferred concept design has been selected and developed with a cost estimate.

Phase 3 includes finalizing designs, phase 4 is building the Astro-Science center, and phase 5 is building a research-grade telescope.

Now in a capital campaign to fund phases 3, 4 and 5, the Sky Center invites residents and visitors across the Adirondack region to help the ambitious project raise the money it needs at the open house, on its web site and on its Facebook page.

When complete, the center will have day-time events and offerings, including a modern-style planetarium with room-edge projectors and all-seating viewing; a lecture hall (which will be available for renting out), appropriate for lectures and concerts; an interactive classroom, where visitors can do self-guided, hands-on activities and classes can have guided discussions, robot building and arts classes with 14,000 square feet of public space, plus 3,000 square feet of space in the basement.

“Gazing at the night sky in the Adirondacks is an awe-inspiring experience,” said state Sen. Betty Little, R-Queensbury. “While so many people visit our region for the beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers and incredible recreational opportunities, the stellar spectacle above is something that many urban and suburban visitors don’t see at home either. The Adirondack Sky Center’s plans for the AstroScience center museum and planetarium is very exciting news. This will be a tremendous tourism and educational attraction and I am pleased to lend my support to help secure funding for this project which is sure to inspire.”

“The Adirondack Sky Center in Tupper Lake is the right idea at the right time; it will interpret ‘The Wilderness Above’ for travelers as the Wild Center across town interprets the wilderness below; and it will tap into our under-appreciated ‘dark skies.,'” said James McKenna, CEO of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. “Large new audiences, such as the many who visit our National Parks just to see night-time views without light pollution, will be lining up once the Astro-Science center opens its doors.”

“The Astro-Science center museum, the second building being constructed to comprise the Adirondack Sky Center, will be a facility providing astronomy-related experiences both day and night for visitors of all ages,” said ASC board President Carol Levy.

“It will exponentially expand our educational offerings, including the ability to host many school groups, scout field trips, and more, year-round and will be a center for astrophotography including training, imaging with telescopes and processing,” said board Vice-President and Tupper Lake Central School District Superintendent Seth McGowan.

“This community, Tupper Lake, knows how to get things done,” said Trustee and retired WPTZ meteorologist Gib Brown. “I’m confident that the Astro-Science center will become reality in the years to come.”

A lecture by Jeffrey Miller of St. Lawrence University, at Tupper Lake High School, will follow at 7 p.m. Free stargazing with a guided discussion and telescope viewing at the observatory is also planned that evening after sundown, around 9 p.m.