The exhibit shows a clear, overhead view of what one would literally see upon looking into the sky at night while standing atop the Mount Wilson Observatory. It is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, free from the interference of smog and city lights.

Bonus pointed out the Big Dipper, which is a constellation including stars called Polaris and Dubi. Polaris and Dubi served as helpful navigational tools for travelers long ago as the two stars always point directly towards the North Star.

Participants also took a look at the planet Venus and saw how sunspot number 255 was very active. Sunspots represent cooler regions amidst the blistering hot sun, which constantly emits energy by converting hydrogen into helium.

"It creates its own nuclear furnace in there. Every star including the sun shines by its own energy as planets reflect the light of the stars they orbit around," said Bonus.

Bonus also pointed out constellations Scorpios and Andromeda. She also went on to explain how constellations appear in the sky in different ways depending on what time of year it is.

"When we see Orion, we can't see Scorpios, and that's one way to spot seasonal changes," said Bonus.

She also made reference to the varying degree of colors stars indeed do have. "When you see Antares in the sky, it is a bright red star. Antares is a super giant," said Bonus.

Following the Night Sky show, Bonus led a second discussion in the planetarium about evidence recently discovered which suggests that the universe is expanding faster and faster as time passes.

The lecture was just one in series to be held on Friday nights at SMC this semester about various topics in astronomy. Topics include newly formed stars, volcanoes within our solar system, and the possibility of space travel to Pluto.

The evidence, which suggests that the universe continues to expand, is based upon the explorations of world-renowned scientist Edwin Hubble as he peered into space through the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory around 1925.

Bonus explained how Hubble eventually realized through countless observations that the many galaxies throughout the universe are actually moving away from each other.

Hubble came to this conclusion when he studied the various rays of light from far-away stars entering the Milky Way galaxy. It was then that he realized, after observing the radioactive quality of these rays as defined by the color spectrum that galaxies are indeed pulling away from one another resulting in an ever-increasing expansion of our universe.

However, it's still unclear as to what exactly are the cosmic forces responsible for this phenomenon. "We are yet to find out what it is," said Bonus.