Out West--Where Scientists Roam

“Why does the desert get so cold at night? How do patio misters work?”

Questions both profound and practical are addressed at the $48-million Arizona Science Center, scheduled to open today in downtown Phoenix. The museum offers about 350 indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits on topics such as aeronautics, geology, home cooling systems, computers and the human body and psychology.

It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Combined admission to the exhibits, planetarium and theater is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and children 4 through 12, and free for children under 4. Information: (602) 716-2000.