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# Live virtual shows from SMC’s Drescher Planetarium explore Mars robots, the Moon and more this winter
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/free-live-virtual-shows-from-smcs-drescher-planetarium-explore-galaxies-mars-robots-the-moon-and-more-this-winter/
- Published: 2024-12-26T14:31:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-21T15:52:05.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Events, Lifestyle, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-06 12:20

**Santa Monica College’s John Drescher Planetarium** continues its **Friday evening events** in **winter 2025** with **free, live virtual shows** presented online at [***smc.edu/planetarium***](http://smc.edu/planetarium?ref=smdp.com)**.** The winter shows will explore the different types of galaxies, present an update on **Mars** robots **Perseverance** and **Curiosity,** provide a quick tour of the **Moon’s** ‘seas’ and craters, and consider the latest definitions of ‘space’ and ‘astronauts.’ Winter shows also include the popular **“A Walk Around the Winter Hexagon,”** with spectacular images.

The **Friday** **evening shows** are at **8pm** and are preceded by a streamlined virtual digest of the popular **Night Sky Show** at **7pm,** 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. To attend the online shows, the Zoom softwaremust be installed on the viewer’s computer. A free download is available at [***zoom.com***](http://zoom.com/?ref=smdp.com)***.***

The winter 2025 shows are:

• Friday, January 10 at **8pm** (following **The Night Sky Show** at 7pm): **“Deep Sky Deep Dive: Galaxies” —** *Lecturer Sarah Vincent.* Originally called **“spiral nebulae,”** galaxies like the **Milky Way** contain hundreds of billions of stars and come in many shapes and sizes. Tonight’s show explores the different types of galaxies and how these distant marvels are studied. *Free.* Zoom at [*smc.edu/planetarium*](http://smc.edu/planetarium?ref=smdp.com)*.*

• Friday, January 17 at **8pm** (following **The Night Sky Show** at 7pm): **“The Robots of Mars” —** *Lecturer Sarah Vincent.* The **Red Planet** is “inhabited” by robots. **Curiosity** and **Perseverance** are currently exploring its dusty surface, but they are just the latest in a long line of robotic explorers. Tonight’s show dives into the history and evolution of the robots of **Mars.** *Free.* Zoom at [*smc.edu/planetarium*](http://smc.edu/planetarium?ref=smdp.com)*.*

• Friday, January24 at **8pm** (following **The Night Sky Show** at 7pm): **“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. *Free.* Zoom at [*smc.edu/planetarium*](http://smc.edu/planetarium?ref=smdp.com)*.*

• Friday, January 31 at **7pm** (starting with **The Night Sky Show** at 7pm): **“A Walk Around the Winter Hexagon” —** *Lecturer Jim Mahon.* The winter sky offers a bounty of bright stars surrounding its signature constellation, **Orion the Hunter.** Embedded in the **Sword of Orion** is the mighty **Orion Nebula,** the large area of star formation closest to the solar system. Using spectacular images, tonight’s show explores the**Orion** and **Rosette** nebulae, several beautiful star clusters, **Barnard’s Loop,** red giant **Betelgeuse, Sirius** (the brightest star in the skies of **Earth**), the **Crab Nebula,** and other treasures of this rich area of the winter sky. *Free.* Zoom at [*smc.edu/planetarium*](http://smc.edu/planetarium?ref=smdp.com)*.*

• Friday, February 7 at **8pm** (following **The Night Sky Show** at 7pm): **“Space: The Karman Line and Beyond”** *— Lecturer Sarah Vincent.* **Earth’s** thin atmosphere is home to all currently known life in the universe…except the astronauts in the **International Space Station.** These temporary inhabitants of space spend months above the atmosphere in freefall. Tonight’s show investigates how we define space and the changing definition of “astronaut.” *Free.* Zoom at [*smc.edu/planetarium*](http://smc.edu/planetarium?ref=smdp.com)*.*

More information is available online at [*smc.edu/planetarium*](http://smc.edu/planetarium?ref=smdp.com)or by calling 310-434-3005\. All shows subject to change or cancellation without notice.

**Santa Monica College (SMC)** is a **California Community College** accredited by the **Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)** of the **Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)**.