Santa Monica College announced that its planetarium -- closed nearly five years for reconstruction and earthquake repairs -- will celebrate its grand reopening Friday, June 13 not only with a new look but state-of-the-art equipment that will transport viewers into three-dimensional space.

The facility -- renamed the John Drescher Planetarium in honor of a Santa Monica philanthropist who donated $530,000 to upgrade the facility and equipment -- will demonstrate its technical capabilities with a special show called "From Quarks to Quasars."

"This is an exciting development in the history of Santa Monica College," said SMC President Dr. Piedad F. Robertson. "Our planetarium and astronomy shows have not only enriched our students' educational experience but have drawn thousands of school children and adults from throughout Southern California. The new John Drescher Planetarium will lift our community to new astronomical heights."

The 50-seat planetarium has been closed since July 1992 because of a remodel of the second floor of the Technology Building and damage from the 1994 earthquake.

The John Drescher Planetarium features the Digistar projection system, the first such three-dimensional equipment on the West Coast; new seats; a new dome; and a more advanced audio-visual system that includes video projector with VCR, laser disc player, CD playback, and computer links to the World Wide Web.

"Our new Evans & Sutherland Digistar II projector will open up the wonders of the universe in ways never seen before on the West Coast," said SMC Planetarium Director Jonathon Hodge. "From the innermost heart of the atom to the distant galaxies and quasars of our far-flung universe, Digistar can transport audiences beyond the frontiers of time and space."

The total cost of the project is about $1 million. Aside from the Drescher donation, the funds are provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State Office of Emergency Services, and the college.

Although the planetarium has been closed since July 1992, SMC has continued to present astronomy shows on an almost weekly basis on subjects ranging from Comet Hale-Bopp to dinosaurs to the latest NASA expeditions in our solar system. Although many shows have drawn sizable audiences, Hodge anticipates much larger attendance when the planetarium reopens.

First opened in 1971, the SMC planetarium is the only public facility of its kind on the Westside.

Drescher's gift -- which was made to the SMC Foundation -- fits well with his background as an engineer and with his interest in aerospace.

A pilot and aircraft mechanism designer, he holds at least nine patents relating to the World War II effort and has developed more mechanisms and patents at National Machine Products. He has also been an industrial developer in Santa Monica and has a long and distinguished record of community service.

The planetarium is located on the second floor of the Technology Building, 1900 Pico Blvd. "From Quarks to Quasars" will be shown at 8 p.m. June 13 and 20 and July 11 and 18. It follows the 7 p.m. "Night Sky" show.

Tickets are $4 for each show or $7 for the "double feature." Parking is free. For information, call (310) 452-9223.