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Looking through the historic 12 3/8 refractor. Credit: South Carolina State Museum.

Seeking out science and astronomy in South Carolina? Youre in luck, as were pleased to report the South Carolina State Museums brand-spanking new planetarium and astronomical observatory opened to the public earlier this month. Part of a 75,000 square foot expansion project dubbed Windows to New Worlds, the renovation puts the museum on the cutting edge of STEM education and public outreach. And not only does the new expansion include one of the largest planetariums in the southeastern U.S., but it also features the only 4D theater in the state of South Carolina. The observatory, planetarium and brand new exhibits present a fascinating blend of the grandeur of astronomical history and modern technology.

Exploring the universe Credit: South Carolina State Museum/Sean Rayford.

What we have built represents a quantum leap forward for South Carolina in the areas of cultural tourism, recreation and especially education, said executive director of the South Carolina State Museum Willie Calloway in a recent press release. Our new facility is building opportunity opportunity for students to thrive, opportunity for our economy to grow and opportunity for our guests to be entertained in new ways.

The 12 3/8 refractor prior to installation in the observatory. Photo by author.

We first visited the South Carolina State Museum in 2012when plans for the planetarium and observatory were just starting to come together. The large Alvan Clark refractor now in the observatory was on display in the main museum, but much of the telescopes in the museums collection of antique instruments and gear were yet to be seen by the public.

A collection of eyepieces and adapters from the Robert Ariail collection. Photo by author.

We firmly believe that a telescope out under the night sky is a happy telescope, and its great to see the old 12 3/8 Alvan Clark refractor in action once again!

A brass solar flip adapter. Photo by author.

See original here:

Astronomy History and Future Come Together at the South Carolina State Museum