The Rancho Mission Viejo Conservancy will offer...

The Rancho Mission Viejo Conservancy will offer a stargazing program May 4 and 31 from 8 to 10 p.m. Telescopes will be available for watching the comet. The Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower will also take place on May 4. Amateur astronomers will be on hand to point out constellations and answer questions. Cost: $4-8. Call (714) 489-9778 to register and receive directions.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE SCIENCE

Comet Hale-Bopp is still bright in the northwest evening sky about an hour after sunset but will soon be too low to view. The Griffith Observatory’s live planetarium show, “Comet Watch,” continues through Sunday. There is also nightly comet viewing, except on Mondays, using the observatory’s telescope and those set up by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and the L.A. Sidewalk Astronomers. (213) 664-1191 or the Sky Report at (213) 663-8171.

Dr. Bruce Betts, a planetary research scientist from the San Juan Institute, will present a slide show on “Mars: Past, Present and Future.” The free program will be held Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m., in the Orange County Marine Institute’s Whale Room, 24200 Dana Point Drive in Dana Point. (714) 496-2274.

“Bringing the Benefits of Space Technology to Earth: An Exploration of New JPL Instruments and Robotics,” is the subject of the von Karman Lecture at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the von Karman Auditorium May 15 at 7 p.m. Call (818) 354-5011.

ENVIRONMENT

The ongoing restoration of the Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes will be discussed at the California Native Plant Society meeting May 13 at 8 p.m. at the Kenter Canyon Elementary School. Call (310) 399-8993.

Have a grunion encounter during a special evening program offered by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium on May 9 and 24. The program will begin at 9 p.m. in the John M. Olguin Auditorium. Bring blankets and a flashlight and dress warmly. Cost is $1. Preregistration is suggested but not required. (310) 548-7562.

Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills offers two two-hour programs on birding Saturday. At 8 a.m., an “early bird” walk will take place for serious birders. A family bird watching excursion begins at 10 a.m. It’s best to bring binoculars. Groups must make reservations in advance. (714) 998-8380.

The Theodore Payne Foundation Annual Wildflower Hotline offers information on local wildflower areas. (818) 768-3533.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

More than 60 interactive exhibits exploring “Lasers, Light and Illusions” are on display at the Launch Pad, on the third floor of Crystal Court at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The hands-on program includes a giant kaleidoscope, live laser demonstration and a morphing station. Staff present hourly laser demonstrations. Cost is $5 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for adults ages 13 and over when accompanying a child. Cost is $5 for adults entering alone. The Launch Pad is open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. (714) 546-2061.