Planetary Nebulae, Finding Constellations, and the Winter Solstice
Santa Monica College's John Drescher Planetarium continues its Friday evening events in Dec. 2024 with free, live virtual shows presented online at smc.edu/planetarium. This month's friendly shows take a deep dive into planetary nebulae, explain how to find constellations in the L.A. skies, and explore the history and festivities surrounding the Winter Solstice. The Friday evening shows are at 8 p.m. and are preceded by a streamlined virtual digest of the popular Night Sky Show at 7 p.m., offering the latest news in astronomy and space exploration. The shows include the chance to chat with the planetarium lecturers and ask questions.
Planetarium lecturers are currently using the Zoom platform to present shows while SMC's new planetarium and observatory are under construction. Free Zoom software is available for download at zoom.com.
The Dec. 2024 shows are:
• Friday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. (following The Night Sky Show at 7 p.m.): "Deep Sky Deep Dive: Planetary Nebulae" - Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Some dying stars explode in supernovae, some disappear into black holes, and some, like the Sun, leave behind stunning planetary nebulae. But this is not an event without casualties. When the Sun dies, if it doesn't destroy Earth completely, it will leave Earth a scorched cinder orbiting a dead star. Earth's fate might be to become a zombie planet. Free. Zoom at smc.edu/planetarium.
• Friday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m. (following The Night Sky Show at 7 p.m.): "Constellations" - Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Humans love to find patterns in randomness, and the stars are no exception. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognizes 88 official constellations, and several sub-patterns called asterisms. Tonight's show highlights several and offers tips for finding them through LA's light-polluted skies. Free. Zoom at smc.edu/planetarium.
• Friday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. (following The Night Sky Show at 7 p.m.): "A Winter's Solstice" - Lecturer Jim Mahon. People have long faced the coming of winter with festivities, and customs like the burning of the "Yule Log" and hanging of evergreens far predate the celebration of Christmas in December. Tonight's show examines the history of various ancient observances of the Winter Solstice and how they have evolved and melded with Judeo-Christian holidays, and looks at a remarkable planetary conjunction in 2 B.C., a leading candidate for a scientific explanation for the Star of Bethlehem. Free. Zoom at smc.edu/planetarium.
More information is available online at smc.edu/planetarium or by calling 310-434-3005. All shows subject to change or cancellation without notice.
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