Observatory Educator Looks Through Alvan Clark Telescope During Solar Observing Hours With Dome Open Above Him Showing Blue Sky

Observatory

The Boeing Observatory at the South Carolina State Museum features a historic telescope, outdoor viewing terrace, and adjoining classroom.

Museum Hours

The museum is closed today

Plan Your Visit
Get Directions

State-of-the-art public observatory offers daily solar observing opportunities and more

The historic 1926 Alvan Clark 12 3/8 inch refracting telescope is connected to state-of-the-art technology that gives students and educators all over the state the ability to control the telescope and observe the night sky all from their classroom. Since opening in 2014, the observatory has reached students across the state through on-site field trips, virtual learning, and outreach programs, as well as provided professional development opportunities for South Carolina Teachers. 

The Observatory is open daily for solar observing (weather permitting) and evening viewing opportunities are also offered on select special dates by arrangement with the Observatory Manager. 

Observatory entrance is included with museum general admission.

Questions? Contact Observatory Manager, Matthew Whitehouse by phone: 803.898.4918 or email: matthew.whitehouse@scmuseum.org

Public Observatory Times

(weather permitting)

Solar Observing
Mon: Closed
Tues. – Sat: 12 to 5 p.m.
Sun: 1 to 5 p.m.

Night Observing
Select dates by arrangement with Observatory Manager

White telescope points up at closed, wooden observatory dome that is not the best shape with section unpainted and peeling in areas.

About the Alvan Clark Observatory Telescope

Find out how the Observatory's historic telescope made its way from New York City to the South Carolina State Museum.

Learn More About the Clark Telescope

Observatory Images

Large white telescope points towards the dark night sky under a partially open observatory

Night-sky viewing at the Boeing Observatory.

Group of people stand on terrace in the early evening with one young boy looking at the night sky through binoculars in the foreground

Night-sky viewing with extra telescopes and viewing equipment set up on the Observatory Terrace.

Museum observatory educators speak to a group of students with the observatory telescope in the background

Visiting students learn from museum Observatory educators.

A processed image of the Sun taken through our specially-filtered solar telescope

Image of the Sun taken from the Observatory.

An image of Saturn taken through our Clark telescope at SCSM

An image of Saturn taken through the historic Alvan Clark telescope.

Individual standing on a ladder looking through the Alvan Clark telescope

South Carolina teacher looks through the Alvan Clark telescope during a professional development class at the museum.

Woman stands makes adjustment to telescope pointed at Moon which is visible in the night sky from the Observatory Terrace. Columbia skyline visible in background.

Lunar night-sky viewing from the Observatory Terrace.

Two women look a computer screen while one types with man standing next to them in a green shirt and tie.

South Carolina teachers learn how to control the historic Alvan Clark telescope during a professional development class at the museum.

Large white telescope points towards the dark night sky under a partially open observatory
Group of people stand on terrace in the early evening with one young boy looking at the night sky through binoculars in the foreground
Museum observatory educators speak to a group of students with the observatory telescope in the background
A processed image of the Sun taken through our specially-filtered solar telescope
An image of Saturn taken through our Clark telescope at SCSM
Individual standing on a ladder looking through the Alvan Clark telescope
Woman stands makes adjustment to telescope pointed at Moon which is visible in the night sky from the Observatory Terrace. Columbia skyline visible in background.
Two women look a computer screen while one types with man standing next to them in a green shirt and tie.

Discover More

Group of students look in awe at an image of the Sun displayed on a monitor connected to the observatory telescope

Observatory for Educators

The Boeing Observatory at the State Museum offers students all over the state the ability to control the telescope and observe the night sky all from...
Detail Shot of Antique Instrument in the Arial Collection with brass circular fittings and gears
Permanent Exhibition

Telescope Collection

Robert B. Ariail Telescope Collection at the South Carolina State Museum includes instruments from the 18th century to the modern day.
Close up image of four people shown from a back/side profile as they look up to watch a projection of the Milky Way in a planetarium dome

Planetarium

The 55-foot digital dome BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium takes guests on journeys to the deepest reaches of space and beyond.