Roper Mountain Science Center facts for kids
| Established | 1985 |
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| Location | 402 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29615 |
| Type | Science museum |
| Owner | Greenville County School District |
The Roper Mountain Science Center is a fantastic place in Greenville, South Carolina, where you can explore the wonders of science! It has many cool areas for learning about living things, nature, space, and how the physical world works. You can visit the Living History Farm, the Darrell W. Harrison Hall of Natural Sciences, the Simms Hall of Science, the T.C. Hooper Planetarium, and the Daniel Observatory. This center is part of the Greenville County School District.
Discovering the History of Roper Mountain Science Center
How did this amazing science center begin? The idea for the Roper Mountain Science Center started in 1982. It was a special project that brought together both public and private groups. These groups worked together to create a place for everyone to learn about science. The center officially opened its doors in 1985. Since then, it has been a popular spot for students and families to explore and discover.
| Charles E. Daniel Observatory | |||||
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| Location | Greenville, South Carolina | ||||
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Coordinates
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34°50′24″N 82°18′27″W / 34.84000°N 82.30750°W
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| Altitude | 363 metres (1,191 ft) | ||||
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Exploring the Charles E. Daniel Observatory
One of the most exciting parts of the Roper Mountain Science Center is the Charles E. Daniel Observatory. Here, you can look up at the stars and planets through a very powerful refracting telescope. This telescope is special because it uses lenses to make faraway objects look closer.
The Amazing Halsted Refractor Telescope
The main telescope at the observatory is huge! It measures about 58.4 centimeters (or 23 inches) across. The most important part, its main lens, was made by a famous company called Alvan Clark and Sons. This incredible telescope was finished way back in 1882. It was first set up at the Halsted Observatory at Princeton University.
Later, in 1933, the telescope was updated and rebuilt by the J. W. Fecker Company. In 1964, it moved to the United States Naval Observatory. Then, in 1968, it was offered to the Greenville County School District. The Charles E. Daniel Family Foundation generously helped to fix up the telescope and build the observatory. This made it possible for students and visitors to use it. This telescope is now the eighth largest refracting telescope in the entire United States! It's a real treasure for exploring space.
