The Santa Monica College John Drescher Planetarium invites you to enjoy an evening of magnificent deep-sky images, including star clusters, planetary nebulae, and even a bright supernova remnant. The planetarium's June schedule also offers an opportunity to gaze at the Moon and Saturn through telescopes. The feature shows and the evening telescope viewing session — as well as our popular Night Sky Show — will be held on Friday evenings.
The evening events 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 June planetarium events are:
Summer Deep Sky Wonders on June 5 and 12. Enjoy beautiful images of the wonders of the summer sky, showing us star birth and death, the raw material of planetary formation, and literally countless distant galaxies. Come discuss what they seem to be telling us about our universe, and pick up tips on where to go to view these beauties.
Special Observing Event: A Pretty Planetary Grouping, Moon, and Saturn! on June 26. With guidance from our planetarium director, take a look through a variety of telescopes at an exceptionally lovely lineup of celestial objects, the Moon's Rupes Recta (the "Straight Wall") and Copernicus in morning light, and the gorgeous rings of Saturn. Dress warmly!
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 $11 ($9 seniors and children) for the evening's scheduled "double bill," or $6 ($5 seniors age 60+ and children age 12 and under) for a single show, guest lecture, or telescope-viewing session.
Please call (310) 434-3005 or see www.smc.edu/eventsinfo or www.smc.edu/planetarium for information. All shows subject to change or cancellation without notice.
