By Lookout Staff

June 25, 2015 --  Last summer, clouds from a rare monsoon storm obstructed views of the night sky, but officials at the John Drescher Planetarium at Santa Monica College are hoping for better luck for next month’s Persied meteor shower.

This year’s meteor shower can be viewed during a special show at the planetarium, “The Meteors of Summer: August’s Perseid Shower,” on Friday, July 31, at 8 p.m., said SMC spokeswoman Grace Smith.

An annual spectacle, the Perseid meteor shower occurs from July 11 through August 24, when the Earth passes through the dust of comet Swift Tuttle. This year, the light show will peak around August 11-13.

According to NASA’s website, the best way to view the meteor shower is by getting far away from lighted urban areas. But SMC’s Drescher Planetarium offers one of the best ways to take in the spectacle without having to drive out of town, said Smith.

She also announced the planetarium’s July schedule. Next month will feature a special moon- and Saturn-gazing night, a program about reusable rockets, and more, said Smith.

All of the events start at 8 p.m. and are preceded by a “Night Sky Show” at 7 p.m., where planetarium official share the latest news on astronomy and space exploration and provide “a family oriented ‘tour’ of the constellations,” said Smith.

Guests also can pose questions to experts during the Night Sky Show events, said Smith.

On Friday, July 10 and July 17, the planetarium presents “Reusable Rockets: A Progress Report,” featuring an update on the quest to develop reusable rockets for space exploration and travel.

“Over the years, multiple public and private ventures have strived to crack this difficult problem. Come find out the latest news on the potentially revolutionary developments in the quest for reusable rockets,” said Smith.

A special observing event -- “Eight-Day-Old Moon,” “The Straight Wall,” and “Saturn!” -- will be held on Friday, July 24. The planetarium’s director will guide the audience through a variety of telescoped aimed at the moon and Saturn and its rings.

Tickets to all events can be purchased at the door of the John Drescher Planetarium, 1900 Pico Boulevard.

Tickets for “double-bill” events are $11 for general admission, $9 for seniors 60 and older and children 12 and younger, said Smith. Tickets for single shows, guest lectures, or telescope-viewing sessions are $6 general admission, $5 for seniors and children, she said.

For more information, call 310-434-3005, or visit www.smc.edu/eventsinfo.