By: Jennifer Haskell

Forensic analysis -- what image does that conjure up for you? Did you know that forensic analysis plays a big role in investigating accidents? You can learn more about forensic science, as it relates to accident investigation, by attending "Forensic Investigations: Truth and Consequences" presented by Dr. David Howitt, UC Davis professor of materials science and forensic science. This fascinating free lecture will take place on Tuesday, January 19 at 7:30 pm at the Davis Senior Center.

While we don't like to think about accidents generally and can hardly imagine intentionally reconstructing accidents, one of the few rewards of accident reconstruction is determining how to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. After all, most accidents are not caused by people's recklessness, but rather by people simply not realizing how dangerous things really are.

Dr. Howitt will speak about how to go about doing forensic analysis, provide a few examples, and describe, not only how accident reconstruction helps determine what happened, but also how best to avoid being involved in an accident in the first place.

Dr. Howitt's lecture is part of Explorit Science Center's Cutting Edge of Science Lecture Series. All lectures are held at the Davis Senior Center at 646 A Street in Davis and are open to everyone, teens to seniors. Thanks to sponsorship from Novo Nordisk Biotech, Inc., lectures in this series are FREE. When you attend this lecture be sure to pick up a copy of the complete 1998-99 lecture series schedule.

For more information, call Explorit at 756-0191.

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Astronomers, one and all, come ring in the new year with the first meeting of 1999 of Explorit Science Center's Astronomy Club. Join us for explorations of Saturn and Orion tomorrow, January 16 at 7:30 pm at Explorit. If clear skies allow, you will be able to observe the fascinating planet Saturn.

A planetary probe, Cassini, is speeding toward the "lord of the rings" for a rendezvous in July, 2004. As part of that mission, a device, called the Huygens probe, will "touch down" on Saturn's moon, Titan.

When you think of a moon, do you think of a solid mass? Or a liquid? Or a gas? Saturn's moon, Titan, for example may actually have oceans, not of water, but of methane or ethane. Maybe then, "splash down" would be a better term than "touch down" for what will happen when the probe reaches Titan.

For more interesting explorations of Saturn, the Astronomy Club meeting is the place to be. Come find out what makes Saturn so different from the other eight planets of our solar system.

Also at the club meeting this month, investigate Orion in the continuing "Where's that Star" series. Discover why you see Orion in the winter not the summer sky. Examine a Stellarscope and other maps of the night sky and learn how to use these maps.

Astronomy Club meetings are free and open to people of all ages and all levels of interest in astronomy. Join the night sky discovery at Explorit Science Center, 3141 5th Street. For more information call Explorit at 756-0191.

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Act now, if you've been thinking about becoming an Explorit member. You'll save $5.00 by joining or renewing before February 1, when membership fees increase. Your membership benefits you and Explorit by involving more folks in wonderful explorations of science.

To help Explorit out in another way, save your Nugget Market receipts. Explorit receives 1% of the receipt totals as a contribution from Nugget Market. Only receipts for cash, ATM or check purchases count toward the total. Mail your receipts to Explorit Science Center, PO Box 1288, Davis, 95617 or better yet, drop them off in person when you come for a visit.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is What's the Matter? Solids, Liquids & Gases. Public hours are Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission is $3; members, teachers (with school ID) and children under 4 are free.