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 cool place in Greenville, South Carolina. It's like a big campus where you can learn all about science! You can explore life sciences, natural sciences, space, and physical sciences.
The center has many exciting areas. These include the Living History Farm, the Darrell W. Harrison Hall of Natural Sciences, and the Simms Hall of Science. There's also the T.C. Hooper Planetarium and the Daniel Observatory. The Greenville County School District runs this amazing science center.
History of Roper Mountain Science Center
The Roper Mountain Science Center started with a special idea. It was a team effort between public groups and private donors. People began planning for the center in 1982. The center officially opened its doors to visitors in 1985.
Explore the Charles E. Daniel Observatory
Charles E. Daniel Observatory | |||||
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Location | Greenville, South Carolina | ||||
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) | ||||
Website Website |
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The main telescope at the Daniel Observatory is very special. It is a refracting telescope that is about 58.4 centimeters (23 inches) wide. A refracting telescope uses lenses to make distant objects look closer.
The Amazing Halsted Refractor Telescope
The main lens for this telescope was made by Alvan Clark and Sons. They finished the telescope in 1882. It was first set up at the Halsted Observatory at Princeton University. Later, in 1933, the J. W. Fecker Company rebuilt the telescope.
In 1964, the telescope 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 helped renovate the telescope. They also helped build the observatory where it now sits. This telescope is the eighth largest refractor telescope in the United States!