SC museum resumes sidewalk telescope viewing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina State Museum is resuming its “Planets for the People” sidewalk telescope viewing.

The museum says Jupiter will be the main attraction at the event Saturday in front of the Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House at 900 Main St. in Columbia. Viewing starts at 6 p.m. and should continue until 9 p.m., depending on sky conditions. Four telescopes will be set up.

Museum education director Tom Falvey says the location provides an excellent view of the planets and moon.

He says the moon should be visible early in the evening in a blue-white color. Uranus also will be visible.

Falvey says the museum put sidewalk viewing on hiatus during the summer because the heat causes a haze that makes viewing difficult and the sun goes down so late.