Exploring the World of Genghis Khan

In the 13th Century, much of the known world was conquered by Genghis Khan, whose name means “perfect warrior.” An international exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, “Genghis Khan: Treasures From Inner Mongolia,” traces 3,500 years of Mongolian history and culture.

The exhibit, a collaboration between the museum and the People’s Republic of China, includes more than 200 artifacts, some of which never have been seen outside Asia.

Displays of gold, ceramics, pottery, bronze weapons, paper documents and funerary ware put in context of the culture that flourished from 2000 B.C. through the 14th Century, culminating in the reign of Genghis Khan.

The exhibition will be at the museum through Aug. 14. Call (213) 744-DINO.

ASTRONOMY

* On May 10 there was a solar eclipse, and tonight it will seem as if a chunk of the full moon is disappearing during a partial lunar eclipse. The eclipse will occur from 7:58 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., with maximum coverage about 8:30 p.m., when about 25% of the moon will be in Earth’s shadow. The Griffith Observatory will be open until 10 p.m. for viewing. Call (213) 664-1191.

* The astronomical unit of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will set up telescopes at 7:30 p.m. in Shoreline Park to observe the event. Call (805) 682-3224.

* Major telescope manufacturers and as well as amateurs will have equipment on display at the annual Riverside Telescope Makers Conference at Camp Oaks near Big Bear, Friday through Monday. Call (909) 948-2205.

* On Friday at 8 p.m., the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will present its planetarium program, “In the Moon’s Shadow,” featuring the recent annular solar eclipse, followed at 9 by a telescope observation of Jupiter and its moons and the stars of the early summer sky, weather permitting. Call (805) 682-3224.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

* Children 5 and older can learn about the original Southern California coast environment in “Acorns, Seeds and Sage,” a workshop at Kidspace Museum in Pasadena at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Call (818) 449-9144.

SCIENCE POLICY

* “Evolution: The Fossils Say Yes; a Refutation of Creation ‘Science,’ ” will be the topic discussed by paleontologist Donald Prothero at a Skeptics Society lecture at Caltech’s Baxter Lecture Hall at 2 p.m. Sunday. Prothero will also display fossils, including those of dinosaurs. Call (818) 794-3119.

* UC San Diego professor Steven Shapin will discuss “Truth, Honesty and the Authority of Science: a Historian’s Comment,” at the Caltech Seminar on Science, Ethics and Public Policy at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Judy Library on campus. Call (818) 395-4652.

HERPETOLOGY

* The reptiles of the Mojave Desert and how they adapt to harsh climactic conditions will be examined in a weekend course offered at the Desert Studies Center near Baker, Friday through Sunday. The center is operated by the California State University System. Call (909) 880-5981.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

* The Women’s Pavilion and Resource Center of the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center will offer a workshop on “Living With Arthritis” at 7 p.m. Wednesday. For reservations, call (800) 77-WOMEN.

BOTANY

* A “Backbone Post-Fire Hike” will be led by members of the California Native Plant Society, Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mountains chapter at 8 a.m. Thursday. Participants are asked to meet on Stunt Road 1.8 miles from Mulholland Highway. Call (818) 345-6749.

ENTOMOLOGY

* Entomologist Elliott McClure will discuss “Insects of the Tropical Forests” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Soka University in Calabasas. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Call (818) 880-6400.