Entry No. 24 — the Charleston file — filed under: observatory

College of Charleston Observatory

A working 24-inch research telescope lives inside a dome on the roof of a downtown college science building, and a few times a semester the Physics & Astronomy department throws the doors open, free, so anyone can climb up onto 'Rita's astronomy deck' and look through it alongside a row of smaller portable scopes.

The move: Grab a free ticket ahead of the open-house date, climb to the roof deck at dusk, and queue for a turn at the 24-inch scope between the smaller telescopes scattered around it.

• 📍 Downtown Charleston (College of Charleston campus)
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 58 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29424 (Rita Hollings Science Center rooftop)

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: chartasg.wixsite.com · Facebook

last checked: 2026-07-20