Linking Cancer Treatment, Research

Cancer is still a mystifying and frightening disease. Tonight, Caltech will host a symposium, “Conquering Cancer: From the Lab to the Clinic,” in Beckman Auditorium at 7:30.

Co-sponsored with the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, biologists and cancer researchers from both institutions will discuss research and treatment.

Admission is free, but tickets will be distributed. (818) 395-4652 or (800) 423-8849.

ASTRONOMY

* The collision of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter in July will be observed by the Hubble Space Telescope, the Galileo spacecraft and a small army of astronomers. Comet expert Donald Yeomans of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will discuss the latest data in a lecture at the Griffith Observatory at 7:30 p.m. Monday. (213) 664-1191.

* Astronomer John Griese Cepheid will discuss variable stars, the “candles” of the universe, at the Western Observatorium meeting at 8 p.m. Friday at the Tanglewood Recreation Center in Cypress. (714) 220-1310.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

* The 24th annual Whale Fiesta will be held at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Co-sponsored by the aquarium and the American Cetacean Society, the event will feature marine life experts answering questions as well as crafts, videos and a life-size sand sculpture of a whale cow and calf that everyone can help build between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (310) 548-7563.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

* The UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital will host two lectures on mood disorders Monday and June 13 at 7 p.m. (310) 825-0481.

* Dr. C. Noel Bairey-Merz, a specialist in female cardiology, will discuss women and heart disease in an educational forum sponsored by the Encino/Tarzana Regional Medical Center, Women’s Pavilion and Resource Center at 7 tonight. (800) 77-WOMEN.