By Lookout Staff

July 24, 2024 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) planetarium will showcase the careers of three female astronauts and explore SpaceX's upcoming Polaris Dawn mission during two shows next month.

The free shows at the John Drescher Planetarium take place on the first two Fridays in August at 8 p.m. and 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.

On Friday, August 2, lecturer Sarah Vincent will present “Women in Spaceflight” as part of the planetarium's Women of Space Series.

The show will look at the careers of Sally Ride, Mae Jemison and Peggy Whitson, three women who flew missions during the Space Shuttle era.

In 1983, Ride became the first American woman and the third woman to fly in space, as well as the youngest American astronaut, having flown in space at age 32.

Jemison, who served in 1992 as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, was the first Black woman to travel in space, while Whitson spent a total of 665 days in space, the most of any woman.

On Friday, August 9, lecturer Jim Mahon will present “Polaris Dawn,” which explores the SpaceX mission that will attempt to reach the highest earth orbit ever flown.

The mission "hopes to prove Crew Dragon is capable of supporting missions with extra vehicular activities (EVAs).

"Polaris Dawn will conduct research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health," according to the mission's website.

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.