Exhibit Tells of Jesuits’ Meeting With Natives

A multimedia exhibit opening Saturday at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County tells the story of the encounter between a band of Jesuit missionaries and Native Americans in the Rocky Mountains.

“Sacred Encounters: Father De Smet and the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West,” uses major new discoveries of art, maps and artifacts associated with De Smet’s travels to illustrate the convergence and the contrasts of the two different worlds.

Historian Jacqueline Peterson has worked with Native American elders and Jesuit academic consultants over the past four years to create the exhibit, which runs through Jan. 8. Call (213) 744-3466.

ASTRONOMY

* Perry Hacking of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will discuss a new program, the Wide-Field Infrared Explorer, which may answer questions about the birth of galaxies and the source of quasars, at the meeting of the Western Observatorium at 8 p.m. Friday in the Tanglewood Recreation Center in Cypress. Call (714) 220-1310.

* The latest results of Comet Shoemaker-Levy’s impact on Jupiter will be discussed by Bryan Penprase, director of observatories at Pomona College, at 8 p.m. tonight at the College’s Millikan Planetarium. Call (909) 621-8724.

* Bruce Murray, former director of JPL, will speak at the Orange County Astronomers’ annual banquet at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Orange County Mining Co. For information and reservations, call (818) 566-8531.

* “The Desert Sky in Fall,” a weekend workshop offered by the Office of Extended Education at Cal State San Bernardino, will be held at its Desert Studies Center near Baker Friday through Sunday. Call (909) 880-5975.

* Author Joel K. Harris will give an illustrated lecture on solar eclipses and discuss his new book, “Chasing the Shadow,” at Rizzoli’s Books in the South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa at 7 p.m. Friday. Call (714) 957-3331.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

* St. Johns Hospital and Health Center and the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital will offer screenings to learn about the signs and symptoms of depression to mark National Depression Screening Day on Thursday. Santa Monica’s programs will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Call (310) 829-8453 for reservations. UCLA’s screenings will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. Call (310) 825-5839.

* Physicians from the Pacific Oaks Medical Group, a private medical practice specializing in HIV infection and AIDS, will discuss a variety of topics, including new and promising treatments in HIV infection and AIDS, in a session at the Paramount Studios Lot at 7 p.m. tonight. Participants should enter at the Bronson gate. Call (310) 652-2562.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

* Children ages 5 and over who are accompanied by an adult can enjoy an outing to explore the Newport Back Bay, one of the area’s few remaining wetlands, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in a program offered by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County/Burbank. Call (213) 744-3534.

* Marine biologist Maris Sidenstecker will bring her “Whales on Wheels” to the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena for workshops for children ages 5 and older at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Call (818) 449-9144.