Observatory
Operational Status
The South Carolina State Museum is currently CLOSED and all public programs are suspended until further notice.
Taking into consideration guidelines set forth by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the State Museum has made the difficult decision to temporarily close to the public in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). All upcoming museum programs, events and rentals through April 30 are canceled.
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Observatory Teaching Workshops
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Boeing Observatory
This 2,500 square foot observatory at the South Carolina State Museum features a 1926 Alvan Clark 12 3/8-inch refracting telescope, outdoor viewing terrace, and adjoining classroom.
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The Clark telescope has a computer control system which allows for quick pointing at objects in the sky.
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Students at participating schools can access the telescope over the internet to study phenomena from the rings of Saturn to the Orion Nebula.
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Both students and the general public can visit the observatory during scheduled viewing sessions.
Click HERE to follow the Boeing Observatory on Twitter @SCSMObservatory
Current Observatory Programs
PLEASE NOTE: All Observatory activities listed below are dependent on clear skies.
Night Observing
OPEN until 10 p.m. every Tues. night
The Boeing Observatory is open late each Tuesday night! Join us for an up-close look at the moon, planets and more. Observatory access is included in museum general admission. Click HERE to learn more about Second Shift Twosdays.
Click HERE to see a viewing update for the most recent Tues. night!
Questions? Contact Observatory Manager, Matthew Whitehouse, at 803.898.4918 or email at matthew.whitehouse@scmuseum.org
