Where else can you attend programs about the aurora borealis, surgical infections, and evolution! We invite you to join us this week for any or all of our science offerings. On Monday, the Astronomy Café discusses the aurora borealis. On Thursday, Dr. Brian McGrory delivers a lecture about the reduction of surgical infections. Finally, on Friday, we celebrate Darwin's birthday with four showings of "Natural Selection." For more information, please call 207-780-4249, e-mail [log in to unmask] or consult our web-site www.usm.maine.edu/planet ASTRONOMY CAFE: AURORA ON ICE Monday, February 8, 2016 7:00 p.m. Admission by donation The sublimely beautiful Aurora Borealis ("Northern Lights.") Though we associate these lights with winter, we can see them anytime of year. What causes the aurora? Is there a best of time of night to look for it? Discover the science behind a spectacle than only five percent of the world's population has observed. PREVENTION OF INFECTION IN SURGERY: A New Paradigm Thursday, February 11, 2016 7:00 p.m. Presenter: Dr. Brian J. McGrory Admission by donation Modern surgery has revolutionized our quality of life, but is not without risk. Surgical site infection leads to morbidity and mortality and is an immense financial expense to our health care system. This lecture discusses surgical infection from a somewhat unique vantage point, and allows discussion of both infection minimization strategies and also risks that must be accepted if we are to continue to pursue surgical solutions to health problems. DARWIN DAY Friday, February 12, 2016 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. $5.00 per person (child or adult) We celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday at the Southworth Planetarium. We're offering four showing of our new full dome program "Natural Selection." 12:00 p.m. Natural Selection 1:00 p.m. Natural Selection 2:00 p.m. Natural Selection 3:00 p.m. Natural Selection