SMC Planetarium Looks Into the Heart of the Milky Way

Sasha Stone

Mirror Contributing Writer

   Beginning September 3, the featured show at Santa Monica College's John Drescher Planetarium will be "At the Heart of the Milky Way," a revealing look at new studies showing a turbulent region of our Milky Way galaxy that is filled with exotic stars and a gigantic black hole. 
   The September guest lecture, "Black Holes & Cosmology," will be conducted by UCLA astronomy professor Matt Malkan, who will discuss recent breakthroughs in the search for super massive black holes at the centers of galaxies as well as new studies of the early universe (facilitated by the Hubble Space Telescope).
   “At the Heart of the Milky Way” shows on September 3, 10 and 17 at 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. pre-show of the "The Night Sky Show," which re-creates the night sky and provides the latest information on space exploration.
   On Friday, September 24, "Black Holes," runs at 8 p.m., preceded by "The Night Sky Show."
   Santa Monica College’s popular Friday night astronomy series, located on the second floor of the Technology Building, boasts a state-of-the-art Digistar projection system.
   Ticket prices are $4 each or $7 for the double bill. Children 12 or under are half price when purchased at the door. For more information, call (310) 434-4223 or (310) 434-3000. SMC Planetarium is located at 1900 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica.