Image by College of Charleston

The College of Charleston's Department of Physics and Astronomy is resuming their star-gazing open houses at the observatory again, which means you, dear public, have a great chance to go check out the stars. And it's free.

The fun starts Friday, November 18, at 6 p.m. and runs until 7:30.

This is scheduled to be the last one of the year — they resume in January.

Here's a bit about what you'll see? "Weather permitting, our 16-in telescope in the rooftop observatory and the observing deck with smaller telescopes will be open to the public," the college said in a release. "We will also have fun activities and demonstrations for all ages in rooms on the first floor of the science building."

The observatory is on the top floor of the Rita Liddy-Hollings Science Center located at 58 Coming Street in downtown Charleston — note the location is not the New Science Center on Calhoun Street. Check in with the Society of Physics Students host, who will direct you.

If you plan to bring a large group (10 or more), or if you will need special accommodations, let the college know ahead of time by e-mailing truec@cofc.edu or calling 843-953-2031.

And do leave the flip-fops at home, open-toed shoes are not permitted on the observing deck.

The College will hold more open houses in the Observatory on the third Friday of each month, that's the October 21 and November 18. 

• Read more stories on this subject in our observatory topic page and we have a video from a visit a couple years back.