Molecular Research, Evolution Are Topics
New discoveries about the molecular bases of the evolution of life will be explored in a one-day symposium, “Evolution and the Molecular Revolution,” on Friday at UCLA.
An international roster of scientists will discuss topics such as Darwinism in an age of molecular revolution, how the molecular revolution began, biomedical research and genes, sequences and other molecular clues to the history of life.
Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life, the symposium will be held in Schoenberg Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (310) 825-1769.
ASTRONOMY
* With the vernal equinox--the first day of spring--coming Sunday, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will present “When Night Equals Day,” a multimedia presentation of poetry, music and planetarium effects at the Gladwin Planetarium on Friday at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Call (805) 682-4711.
* The constellations of spring and the myths behind them will be examined at the Los Angeles Valley College Planetarium show, “The Spring Sky,” on Friday at 8 p.m. Weather permitting, the observatory’s telescope will be open for viewing the sky before and after the show. Call (818) 781-1200, Ext. 335.
* The predicted collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with the planet Jupiter in July will be the opening talk of a one-day UCLA Extension forum, “What’s New in Astronomy, 1994,” on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Dickson Art Center Auditorium. Other topics will include the Galileo spacecraft, climate changes and the changing concept of the Big Bang. Call (310) 825-7093.
SCIENCE HISTORY
* Cultural historians from across the country will discuss the development of natural history illustration in the 18th and 19th centuries in a symposium at the Huntington Library on Friday and Saturday . Talks will range from the role of geology in paintings to the role of politics in some ornithological illustrations. Call (818) 405-2125.
HEALTH/MEDICINE
* Dr. Michael L. Steinberg and Dr. Lisa Martine Chaiken of the Santa Monica Cancer Treatment Center will discuss “Radiation Oncology--Treatment of Breast Cancer,” at the meeting of Breast Cancer Recovery Plus on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Brotman Wellness Center in Culver City. Call (310) 391-0068 or (310) 479-3846.
ENVIRONMENT
* Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to “Celebrating Rain Forests” at the Los Angeles Zoo. Visitors will be able to learn about the plants and animals of the tropical rain forests and hear the rain forest rhythms all weekend. Call (213) 666-4090.
* “Desert Wetlands,” the critical habitats of rock seeps, springs, streams, ponds and temporary lakes for desert dwellers, will be the focus of a weekend course offered at the Desert Studies Center operated by the California State University system near Baker, Friday through Sunday. Call the Cal State San Bernardino Office of Extended Education, (909) 880-5981.
GEOLOGY
* Continental drift theory was initially rejected by the scientific community when it was presented by Alfred Wegener in 1912. This rejection and the later acceptance of the theory will be the topic of a lecture at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla on Thursday at 3 p.m. in Sumner Auditorium. Call (619) 534-3624.
