Free Shows Presented Online on Friday Evenings:
7 p.m. “Night Sky” Program
8 p.m. Feature Show
February 28 Show: "Luna: Earth's Natural Satellite"
March 7 Show: "Here’s Looking at You, Earth"
March 14 Show: "Space Weather — What’s It Like Out There, and How Does It Affect Us?"
March 21 Show: "Gaia: Earth Mother Watching the Stars"
March 28 Show: "Multi-Messenger Astronomy"
See below for show details.
Zoom link for February/March Friday evening programs (opens in new window)
Planetarium this week
Free, live, virtual public shows!
Invitation links to the planetarium's live online events are generally posted the Thursday before. These programs are only available LIVE on Friday evenings, and on the occasional Matinee dates (typically on Sundays). Clicking on the Zoom links at other times will not work.
Please scroll down beyond the calendar for notes on upcoming 8 p.m. programs
We also look forward to the expanded capabilities of the new planetarium and observatory SMC is building for opening in 2025.
Jim Mahon
Planetarium Lecturer
Weekly Night Sky Show
The Night Sky programs will last roughly 30-40 minutes, followed by a short question and answer period where guests can type questions into a chat box and we will answer as many questions as possible. There will be a short intermission at approximately 7:50 p.m. prior to the start of the Feature program at 8 p.m.
Feature Programs
Note that all 8 p.m. feature programs are preceded by the 7 p.m. “Night Sky” program described above.
Currently all presentations are online ONLY, with the exception of occasional observing programs.
February 28: “Luna: Earth’s Natural Satellite” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Tantalizingly close, yet so far away, Earth’s constant companion inspires dreams and exploration with its familiar face. Tonight’s show provides a quick guided tour of the Moon’s mare (Latin for “sea”) and craters.
March 7: "Here’s Looking at You, Earth" — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Space agencies around the world operate fleets of satellites that provide crucial data for understanding Earth's changing climate. Tonight's show takes a look at several of those Earth-looking satellites, and explains their purposes.
March 14: “Space Weather — What’s It Like Out There, and How Does It Affect Us?” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Space weather is a very real thing. And it has real effects on people's day-to-day lives on Earth, especially as dependence on electronic devices grows. The show will shed light on the emerging field of space weather.
March 21: “Gaia: Earth Mother Watching the Stars” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. The stars of the Milky Way dance to the Music of the Spheres. The European Space Agency's Gaia mission, named for the Greek goddess of Earth, has been mapping the positions and motions of the closest, brightest stars to an accuracy never before achieved.
March 28: “Multi-Messenger Astronomy” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. 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.
Location of Planetarium (Currently closed)
Drescher Hall, 2nd Floor
1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Campus Map
The Drescher Planetarium is located in the middle of the second floor of Drescher Hall on the north side of the Santa Monica College campus. Drescher Hall is the three story brown building on the South East corner of Pico Blvd. and 17th Street. We are in Santa Monica, south of the 10 (Santa Monica) Freeway and west of the 405 (San Diego) Freeway.