By Lookout Staff

August 27, 2024 -- Is light a particle or a wave? Whats the difference between equinoxes and solstices? And why is it easier to send a spaceship out to Jupiter than in toward the Sun?

Those are among the questions that will be answered and explained at Santa Monica College's (SMC) John Drescher Planetarium during its Friday evening events next month.

The free, live virtual shows presented online are preceded by a streamlined, virtual digest of the popular Night Sky Show at 7 p.m. that offers the latest news in astronomy and space exploration.

Next month's lineup kicks off Friday, September 13 with “Light,” a presentation by planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent poses the question "Is light a particle? Is it a wave?"

The answer, Vincent will explain, is: "Yes."

"Almost everything astronomers know about the universe was learned from light," event organizers said. "From radio light to gamma-ray light, every part of the electromagnetic spectrum reveals different pieces of the cosmological puzzle."

"But what is light?"

On Friday, September 20, planetarium Lecturer Jim Mahon will present the show “TILT! Equinoxes and Solstices Explained.”

"Most city dwellers are only vaguely aware of the rhythms of the sky and what the equinoxes and solstices actually are," organizers said.

"In anticipation of the 2024 Autumnal Equinox on September 22, tonight’s show will try to remedy this disconnect from the natural world, as well as dispel some myths, like that egg-standing-on-end story."

On Friday, September 27, Vincent will present the popular show “Gravity,” by audience request.

"Planets orbit the Sun; moons orbit planets. Astronauts orbit Earth in the International Space Station, where they float weightless," the show notes. "But contrary to common phrasing, they are not in 'zero G.'"

"Gravity" explores "orbital mechanics and the puzzle of why it’s 'easier' to send a spaceship out to Jupiter than in toward the Sun.

Planetarium lecturers are currently using the Zoom platform to present shows while SMC’s new planetarium and observatory are under construction.

To attend the shows, the Zoom software must be installed on the viewer’s computer. A free download is available at zoom.com.

"The shows include the chance to chat with the planetarium lecturers and ask questions related to astronomy and space exploration," planetarium officials said.

More information is available online at smc.edu/planetarium or by calling 310-434-3005. Shows are subject to change or cancellation without notice.