Thank you for visiting our adoption page. We hope that you will consider becoming a "Friend" of the RPSEC, and we have a fun way for you to provide financial support. As you make contributions to the RPSEC, you may take the opportunity to adopt and animal or a celestial object.

You may adopt a celestial object and become a Galactic Guardian. A Galactic Guardian sponsor adopts a celestial object for one calendar year, assisting in the creation of new programming for the planetarium and provide access to planetarium programs for students. An Adopt-an-Animal sponsor helps support the cost of feeding and caring for a live animal used in our K-12 educational programs for one calendar year. This would make a truly unique holiday or birthday gift!

Donations are tax deductible. The sponsor's name(s) will be displayed on donor recognition kiosks at RPSEC, and they will be recognized in publications and on the website. All donations above $400 will receive special recognition including a USC Aiken VIP membership card; in addition, these donors' names will appear on the planetarium dome throughout the calendar year. Adoptions are on a first come, first serve basis, so please be sure to select your first and second choice for adoption. Your gift makes a difference. Thank you in advance.

• List of animals for adoption
• List of celestial objects for adoption (If you have a different favorite celestial object that you would like to adopt, please contact the RPSEC)

Make checks payable to "Aiken Partnership" Indicate the animal or object you would like to adopt in the memo section of your check. Mail the check to

Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC 29801

For more information about adopting animals or celestial objects, please contact the RPSEC at 803-641-3313 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..