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University of South Carolina   Physics and Astronomy

Melton Memorial Observatory

Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Phone: 803-777-4180
E-MAIL THE OBSERVATORY

Group Programs

Boy Scout, Girl Scout, School, Church, Home School, and any other groups may visit Melton Observatory.
Simply pick the type of tour you'd like, and then contact us to reserve a date and time.


  DAY
NIGHT
DESCRIPTION Group is given a tour of the dome, telescopes, and computer system. Weather-permitting, the group observes the sun through an appropriately filtered telescope. Solar properties and characteristics are discussed.

Group is given a tour of the dome, telescopes, and computer system. Observation includes a variety of objects (depending on what is above the horizon) through available telescopes. Objects types, formation, size, distance, etc. are discussed.
GENERAL HOURS
9am until 4pm
    Depending on the season:
  • Winter: Beginning as early as 6:30pm
  • Summer: Beginning as late as 9:30pm
DAYS Generally, any day of the week
    Depending on USC schedule:
  • Summer: generally any night except Monday
  • University Fall and Spring semesters: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
DURATION 30 minutes to an hour; can be longer 1 to 2 hours; can be longer
BAD WEATHER? Can still be held, but without solar observation Cancelled

To arrange a tour, call the Observatory, (803) 777-4180, and leave a brief message including your name, phone number, and when you would like to come. Be sure to have some secondary dates in case your first choice is not available. The McKissick Museum is behind the Observatory and several other facilities are within walking distance. If you have a tour at any of the museums or facilities in the USC/Downtown area, why not add in a tour of the Observatory?


Tours at Melton Observatory are FREE!!!!

Also, it is possible for members of the observatory staff to come to your school, home, or function to give slide presentations, solar and night observations, and talks . These programs are also free. Please contact Dr. Dan Overcash if you are interested.
by Alex Mowery
Copyright © 1998-2002, The Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina.
URL:  http://boson.physics.sc.edu/~melton