The following is a submission from Santa Monica College.
Santa Monica College’s John Drescher Planetarium continues its Friday evening events in March 2025 with free, live virtual shows presented online at smc.edu/planetarium. The March shows will explore observing Earth from space, space weather, the Gaia mission, and new ways to ‘see’ the universe.
The Friday evening shows are at 8 p.m. and are preceded by a streamlined virtual digest of the popular Night Sky Show at 7 p.m., offering the latest news in astronomy and space exploration. The shows include the chance to chat with the planetarium lecturers and ask questions.
Planetarium lecturers are currently using the Zoom platform to present shows while SMC’s new planetarium and observatory are under construction. To attend the online shows, the Zoom softwaremust be installed on the viewer’s computer. A free download is available at zoom.com.
The March 2025 shows are:
• Friday, March 7, at 8 p.m. (following The Night Sky Show at 7 p.m.): Here’s Looking at You, Earth — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Space agencies around the world operate fleets of satellites that provide crucial data for understanding Earth’s changing climate. Tonight’s show takes a look at several of those Earth-looking satellites, and explains their purposes. Free. Zoom at smc.edu/planetarium.
• Friday, March 14, at 8 p.m. (following The Night Sky Show at 7 p.m.): “Space Weather – What’s It Like Out There, and How Does It Affect Us?” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Space weather is a very real thing. And it has real effects on people’s day-to-day lives on Earth, especially as dependence on electronic devices grows. The show will shed light on the emerging field of space weather. Free. Zoom at smc.edu/planetarium.
• Friday, March 21, at 8 p.m. (following The Night Sky Show at 7 p.m.): “Gaia: Earth Mother Watching the Stars” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. The stars of the Milky Way dance to the Music of the Spheres. The European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, named for the Greek goddess of Earth, has been mapping the positions and motions of the closest, brightest stars to an accuracy never before achieved. Free. Zoom at smc.edu/planetarium.
• Friday, March 28, at 8 p.m. (following The Night Sky Show at 7 p.m.): “Multi-Messenger Astronomy” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Scientists have learned much about the cosmos from the varied ‘colors’ beyond the range of the human eye. New technologies are extending that range even farther and creating a fascinating synergy that opens a new era in astronomy. Free. Zoom at smc.edu/planetarium.
More information is available online at smc.edu/planetarium or by calling 310-434-3005. All shows subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Santa Monica College (SMC) is a California Community College accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
