April 25, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

The Moon, Deep Sky Wonders, More this Fall at SMC’s Drescher Planetarium:

The Santa Monica College John Drescher Planetarium is pleased to present its schedule of Fall 2015 shows and special telescope-viewing sessions, which begin on September 11.

The feature shows are at 8 p.m. and are preceded by “The Night Sky Show” at 7 p.m., offering the latest news in astronomy and space exploration, a family-friendly “tour” of the constellations, and the chance to ask astronomy-related questions.

The Fall 2015 lineup is:

• Sept. 11: “Autumn Deep Sky Wonders and Star Party Planner” – Explore the “Summer Triangle,” rich in star clusters, planetary nebulae, and a supernova remnant. Includes tips on finding star parties to view these beauties in the eyepiece – even if you don’t own a telescope – and a stroll outside to view the Summer Triangle, pointed out in green laser beams.

• Sept. 18: “TILT! Equinoxes & Solstices Explained” – As we move through the Autumnal Equinox and mark the beginning of Fall, most of us are only vaguely aware of what the equinoxes and solstices really are. Come remedy this disconnect from the natural world, and find out what’s up with some related myths, like that egg story….

• Sept. 25: “Special Observing Event: 12-Day-Old Moon, a Pretty Double Star, and the Ring Nebula!” – Take a look at the Moon’s Copernicus and Aristarchus craters and Schroter’s Valley, the Ring Nebula, and the double star Albireo, the “head” of Cygnus the Swan. If clouds intervene, the program will stay in the planetarium with high-resolution images.

• Oct. 2 & Oct. 9: “New Horizons at Pluto – First Summary From the Outer Darkness!” – Take a look at the results of humanity’s first close reconnaissance of mysterious Pluto and its moons. The high-resolution images and science data packages from the New Horizons spacecraft are already changing our perceptions.

• Oct. 16 & Oct. 30: “Dawn Explores the Asteroid Belt” – The Dawn spacecraft now orbiting dwarf planet Ceres is the first probe to orbit two large main belt asteroids. Find out about this remarkable decade-long mission and what we have learned about asteroids Vesta and Ceres.

• Oct. 23: “Special Observing Event: 11-Day-Old Moon, a Coathanger, and a Pretty Double Star!” – Check out the Moon’s Copernicus crater and Rupes Recta fault scarp, see Brocchi’s Cluster (‘The Coathanger’), and enjoy the multicolored double star Albireo. If clouds intervene, the program will stay in the planetarium with high-resolution images.

• Nov. 6 & Nov. 13: “Holiday Telescope Buyer Survival Guide” – Considering a telescope as a holiday gift for someone newly star-struck? Come find out how to shop for a telescope—and in time to do it BEFORE the good suppliers sell out of the best starter instruments!

• Nov. 20: “Special Observing Event: 9-Day-Old Moon, the Straight Wall, and Sunrise on Copernicus” – View the Moon’s Rupes Recta – the “Straight Wall” – as sunrise advances across the lunar surface, making craters Copernicus and Tycho especially well lit. If clouds intervene, the program will stay in the planetarium with high-resolution images.

• Dec. 4 & Dec. 11: “Gemini 7 and 6: When We Pulled Ahead in the Space Race – 50-Year Retrospective” – Examine the flight of Gemini 7 – punctuated by the launch of Gemini 6 and the first-ever space rendezvous – in historical context, with a personal perspective on these heady days of the Space Race from our lecturer.

• Dec. 18: “A Winter’s Solstice” – As we head into the holiday season, find out about the history of ancient observances of the Winter Solstice, and take a look at a re-creation of the remarkable planetary conjunction in 2 BCE – a leading candidate for a scientific explanation of the Star of Bethlehem.

The John Drescher Planetarium, which features a Digistar projection system, is located near the elevators on the second floor of Drescher Hall (1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica). Tickets are available at the door and cost $6 ($5 seniors age 60+ and children age 12 and under) for a single show or telescope-viewing session, or $11 ($9 seniors and children) for the evening’s scheduled “double bill.”

For information, call 310.434.3005 or see www.smc.edu/eventsinfo or www.smc.edu/planetarium. All shows subject to change or cancellation without notice.

in News
<>Related Posts

CHP Arrests Man Accused of Stealing $5K of Copper on PCH

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and was booked at the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station A 22-year-old...

Topanga Beach Bus Resumes Service Between West Valley and Santa Monica

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

The route now operates once daily in each direction and is being escorted by Caltrans The Topanga Beach Bus resumed...

(Video) The Willows: 30 Years Going Strong

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Founded in 1994, The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade non-profit, co-educational...

ASTEME Camps Explore Science, Technology, Math and Engineering

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Many teachers and parents hear this question daily when it comes to schooling: “When am I ever going to use...

Q&A: No Age Limit on Home Care Management & Home Safety, Tips from a Care Manager

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

In-home safety issues that go unnoticed — cracked sidewalks, broken railings or uneven flooring for example — are often the root...

Film Review: Sinners

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

FILM REVIEWSINNERSRated R137 MinutesReleased April 18th   This is one big Blues/Jazz/Vampire/Disco Dance Party. Wow! Sinners will pick you up and...

SMC to Host Free Children’s Concert in May

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

The event will feature collaborative performances with local artists, including a Taiko drumming group from Culver City’s El Marino Language...

LAX/Metro Station is One Step Closer to Transforming the Airport Commute

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

New Multi-Modal Metro Station Connects Angelenos to the Airport Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced...

THIS WEEKEND: Art and Music Festival Takes Over Third Street Promenade

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Admission is free and open to the public The Third Street Promenade will transform into a lively celebration of creativity...

Tony P’s Dockside Grill to Close After 28 Years in Marina del Rey

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

In a farewell letter to patrons, owners wrote, “We hope these final weeks are a celebration of all we have...

Four Proposals Compete for SMC Station’s Affordable Housing Future

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

The site sits in the Pico Neighborhood, where 83% of trips are by car and nearly half of residents struggle...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...