By Lookout Staff

February 24, 2025 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) planetarium next month will focus on weather both on Earth and in space and explore technologies that are opening "a new era in astronomy."

The John Drescher Planetarium will also look at how the Gaia mission is charting the brightest stars in the galaxy during its series of free, live virtual shows on Fridays at 8 p.m.

The shows 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, March 7, with "Here’s Looking at You, Earth," presented by Lecturer Sarah Vincent.

The show looks at the fleets of satellites operated by space agencies around the world "that provide crucial data for understanding Earth's changing climate."

The show "takes a look at several of those Earth-looking satellites, and explains their purposes," event organizers said.

On Friday, March 14, Vincent moves away from the weather on Earth with the show "Space Weather – What’s It Like Out There, and How Does It Affect Us?”

The show sheds light on the emerging field of "space weather," which is "a very real thing," event organizers said.

Space weather "has real effects on people's day-to-day lives on Earth, especially as dependence on electronic devices grows."

On Friday, March 21, Vincent presents “Gaia: Earth Mother Watching the Stars,” which explores the European Space Agency's (ESA) Gaia mission to chart a detailed three-dimensional map of the Galaxy.

Named for the Greek goddess of Earth, the mission launched in 2013 has been mapping the positions and motions of the closest, brightest stars to an accuracy never before achieved.

The mission is "revealing the composition, formation and evolution of the Galaxy," according to the ESA.

Next month's lineup concludes on March 28 with "Multi-Messenger Astronomy” a presentation by Vincent that explores technologies that see more colors than the human eye.

"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."

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

To attend the virtual 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.