Robots, Segways and mercurial events fill Explorit’s calendar

On Nov. 8, the planet Mercury will pass across the face of the sun, an event that occurs only about 13 times a century. You can safely view the transit, as it is called, through telescopes with solar filters that will be set up from 2-4 p.m. at Explorit Science Center.

This astronomy happening is just one of many special events planned at Explorit in the next couple of months. Here’s a clip-and-save guide to special events, holiday hours and free-admission days through the end of 2006. All will take place at Explorit’s new building at 2801 Second St. unless otherwise indicated.

Nov. 4: Robots! Members of the Davis High School Robotics Club will bring some of their creations to Explorit for the afternoon. Watch as students direct a remote-controlled robot to roll around, pick up balls and launch them across the room. After the demonstration, you can design your own robot using Explorit’s building sets. 1-4 p.m.

Nov. 8: Mercury Transit. The Davis Astronomy Club at Explorit will set up telescopes to view Mercury’s passage in front of the sun. 2-4-p.m.

Nov. 10: Expanded holiday hours, 1-4:30 p.m.

Nov. 11: Fossil Fun. Fossil collectors say there’s something mysterious and powerful about holding a 400-million-year-old creature in the palm of your hand. Discover some of the mystery and power at this Family Exploration, which will include making a fossil replica. 1-4 p.m.

Nov. 18: Brain Busters. Another Family Exploration, this event will tickle and taunt you with brain-teasers. Along the way, you’ll pick up some information about the anatomy of the brain. 1-4 p.m.

Nov. 21: Lecture on “Invasion of the Delta Snatchers: How Aquatic Exotic Plants Nix Niches.” Plant physiologist Lars Anderson will give a free public talk on non-native plants and animals in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. He’ll discuss their impacts and propose ways to reduce risk to the area’s ecosystem. 7:30 p.m. at Davis Branch Library, 314 E. 14th St.

Nov. 23: Closed for Thanksgiving.

Nov. 24: Expanded holiday hours, 1-4:30 p.m.

Nov. 26: Free Admission Sunday. Save the general admission of $4 per person for ages 4 and up. Public hours on Saturdays and Sundays are 11 a.m. -4:30 p.m.

Dec. 2: Chemistry Craze. Wearing white lab coats, members of the UC Davis Chemistry Club will present a memorable program with mysterious and fiery chemicals (in a controlled and safe manner, of course). 1-4 p.m.

Dec. 9: Segway Day. If you’ve always wanted to try one of the revolutionary upright scooters, here’s your chance. Bring a helmet! 1-4 p.m., rain or shine.

Dec. 10: Last day to see “Holes: An Opening Into the Sciences,” the first Changing Exhibition at Explorit’s new site.

Dec. 12-15: Explorit will be closed to the public between exhibitions.

Dec. 16: “From Codes to Crystals: Patterns All Around” opens. This Changing Exhibition, full of hands-on activities for all ages, will run through March 11.

Dec. 18-22 and Dec. 26-29: Expanded holiday hours, 1-4:30 p.m. Also, Explorit will offer winter classes for children these two weeks. A brochure and registration forms will be available Nov. 20; watch the Web site, www.explorit.org, or call 756-0191 for details.

Dec. 24: Free Admission Sunday.

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Explorit Science Center is open at its new site, 2801 Second St., Davis. Through Dec. 10, you can visit the exhibition “Holes: An Opening Into the Sciences.” Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information: www.explorit.org or (530) 756-0191.