It’s a big summer for stargazers and those who want to believe! From the Full Buck Moon to the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower, there are so many cool celestial events occurring this season.
If you’re not able to get outside to marvel at the sky, you’re in luck! The Santa Monica College Planetarium will host three free, live virtual planetarium shows every Friday in July 2025.
The shows will explore topics such as the Vera Rubin Observatory’s first images, NASA’s technological spinoffs, and the search for exoplanets. These events are held online as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion. Each evening begins with a 7 p.m. Night Sky Show, followed by the main presentation at 8 p.m. Both will be streamed via Zoom. Each session will led by lecturer Sarah Vincent and will include opportunities for attendees to ask questions.
The July 2025 schedule includes:
“Vera Rubin: First Light”
Highlights the first images from the Vera Rubin Observatory’s massive digital camera, marking the start of its comprehensive universe scan.
📆 When: July 11 at 8 p.m.
“NASA Spinoffs”
Examines everyday technologies, from Apollo missions to the International Space Station, that originated from NASA’s space research.
📆 When: July 18 at 8 p.m.
“Deep Sky Deep Dive: Understanding Exoplanets”
Explores exoplanets, with over 5,000 confirmed since 1992 through missions like Kepler and TESS, addressing their formation and significance.
📆 When: July 25 at 8 p.m.
The events are accessible through the Santa Monica College Planetarium’s website.