April 2, 2023 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

Santa Monica Approves $9.7M Loan for Affordable Housing Development

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023

Berkeley Station to serve transition-age youth and low-income families, designed with NEST Toolkit by Brooks + Scarpa The City of...

​​Santa Monica Ocean View Home Hits the Market for $9.65 Million

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023

4,200 square-foot home features a wine cellar, a bright kitchen with a La Cornue range, and an indoor pizza oven...

Iconic Hotel The Georgian in Santa Monica Set to Reopen on April 3 after Extensive Restoration

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023

BLVD Hospitality’s Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi team up with ESI Ventures to bring back to life the 1933 hotel...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami Announces Bid for Los Angeles District Attorney

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Hatami, a prosecutor in the Complex Child Abuse Unit at the Hall of Justice in downtown LA, has been vocal...

Peace Activist and Artist Marissa Rubin to Be Honored With ‘Tree of Gratitude’

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Tree to be planted in memory of Rubin’s life and work on Earth Day in Palisades Park By Keemia Zhang...

Santa Monica’s The Daily Pint Reopens Following Extensive Renovation

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Long-standing pub boasts over 500 whiskeys, rotating selection of craft beers, and improved facilities under new ownership The Daily Pint,...

Over 100 Organizations Unite to Oppose Kroger-Albertsons Merger

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Critics say the proposed merger, which is currently under review by the FTC, would create a monopoly in many areas...

New Neapolitan Pizza Concept, Bar Monette, to Open in Santa Monica on April 7

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Bar Monette to feature tapas and wine bar with a mid-century library-inspired interior, with Neapolitan pizza Neapolitan pizza fans, get...

Survey Finds Support for Streamlined Permitting Process and Minimal Fees for Outdoor Dining

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Survey results reveal positive feedback for outdoor dining setups amid municipal ordinance changes Last week we asked readers for their...

Eight Santa Monica Police Activities League Youth Complete The Los Angeles Marathon

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Setting a new PAL record for the Los Angeles Marathon, Jade Furukawa came in at 4 hours and 50 minutes...

Bystander Injured After Man Jumps from Third Floor of Santa Monica Place in Potential Suicide Attempt

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Monday afternoon incident results in injuries to a woman in her 70s and a man in his 50s. By Sam...

Clippers Center Ivica Zubac Joins Students for Medical Simulation Training

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Students gain hands-on experience with virtual reality tools, CPR training, and surgical equipment at Cedars-Sinai’s Women’s Guild Simulation Center For...

Santa Monica Hosts Active Aging Group Bike Ride for Older Adults

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Event set for Thursday, March 30, to practice safe biking skills and the rules of the road Older adults in...

City Council Approves Land Use Amendments to Implement Housing Element

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Amendments to zoning codes to support affordable housing production and streamline approval process The Santa Monica City Council has taken...