Observatory Focuses on the Christmas Star

An annual holiday favorite, “The Christmas Star” planetarium show, returns to the Griffith Observatory through Jan. 2.

The Zeiss planetarium star projector re-creates the sky as it appeared almost 2,000 years ago and examines the astronomical events of that time to try to identify the star that appeared at the time of Jesus’ birth.

The program also explores the origins of many current holiday traditions in the ancient solstice festivals. It will be shown daily at 1:30, 3, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., except Christmas Eve, when shows will be at 1:30 and 3 p.m. The observatory will be closed on Christmas. (213) 664-1191.

ASTRONOMY

* The Winter Solstice will occur at 6:23 p.m. Wednesday, the moment when winter begins and the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky. It also is the shortest day of the year--9 hours, 53 minutes in Los Angeles. The Griffith Observatory’s Sky Report has information on this and other astronomical events. (213) 663-8171.

* The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will mark the solstice with a performance by local Celtic ensemble Queen Mab at 7 p.m. Wednesday. (805) 682-4711.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

* Children will enjoy learning about bees in the “Bee Observatory,” a unique working hive community behind glass at the Children’s Museum at La Habra. Children can hunt for the queen bee, try on a beekeeper’s veil and view the world through a special “bee eye.” (310) 905-9793.

* After all the gifts are opened and all the food is gone, families can share the holidays with the animals at the Los Angeles Zoo in a special program called “Presents for Primates (and Others),” beginning next Monday. (213) 666-4090.