By Lookout Staff
January 31, 2025 -- Learn about the only known life form currently inhabiting the space beyond earth's atmosphere at the Santa Monica College (SMC) planetarium next month.
The John Drescher Planetarium will also focus on the moon's "seas" and the different types of galaxies that populate the universe.
The free, live virtual shows take place Fridays 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.
The February lineup kicks off next Friday with “Space: The Karman Line and Beyond,” a look at space's temporary inhabitants, presented by Lecturer Sarah Vincent.
The show investigates "how we define space and the changing definition of 'astronaut'" by taking a look at humans who "spend months above the atmosphere in freefall."
"Earth’s thin atmosphere is home to all currently known life in the universe. . . except the people in the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong," event organizers said.
On Friday, February 21, Vincent presents an installment of the series “Deep Sky Deep Dive" that will explore "the different types of galaxies and how these distant marvels are studied."
"Originally called 'spiral nebulae,' galaxies like the Milky Way contain hundreds of billions of stars and come in many shapes and sizes," organizers said.
The upcoming lineup concludes on Friday, February 28, when Vincent presents “Luna: Earth’s Natural Satellite,” which provides "a quick guided tour of the Moon’s mare," Latin for “sea.”
"Tantalizingly close, yet so far away, Earth’s constant companion inspires dreams and exploration" with its familiar face, craters and large dark plains, or seas.
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.