Planetariums

Company: Iosono Inc. Origins: German audio software company founded in 2005 as a spinoff of the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology Offices: L.A. and Erfurt, Germany Sound system: Generates 32 channels of sound and 64,000 watts through 64 speakers. Uses: Technology is already used in theme parks, museums and planetariums. Technology: System re-creates the complex acoustic wave field of sound emanating from actual objects.

The Children's Museum at La Habra recently received a $112,500 federal grant from the Institute of Museum Services for its programs. IMS--which provides money for programs in natural history, art, history, children's museums, zoos, nature centers, science and technology centers, arboretums, botanical gardens and planetariums--is an independent federal agency that belongs to the National Foundation for the Arts and Humanities.

Mister Rogers now has an asteroid named in his honor. "Misterrogers," formerly known as No. 26858, honors Fred Rogers, creator and host of public television's "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Rogers died Feb. 27 at age 74. The announcement was made on behalf of the International Astronomical Union by John G. Radzilowicz, director of the Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium & Observatory at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. The science center worked with Family Communications Inc.

Mars will be closer to Earth this month than it has been since 1971 and will not be this close again until early in the next century. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the radio broadcast of Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" that frightened the world with a realistic-sounding Martian invasion.

The Place Across the Street From the Hotel Laguna (yes, that's the official name) has reopened following a cosmic redecoration. The new look features hand-painted planetariums and otherworldly ceramic sculptures. The Place has also added some menu items to reflect its new theme, such as atmospheric salad (baby lettuces, balsamic dressing, mixed vegetables) for $5.95. The Place was closed for nearly two months and reopened June 4, said John Bullard, general manager.

Antarctica, the coldest, windiest and driest continent on Earth is the subject of the first exhibit/IMAX film combination at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park. The multimedia exhibit includes videos of emperor and Adelie penguins, a mummified seal, dioramas and displays of artifacts, photographs and maps to tell the story of this icy continent.

The moon and the planet Venus are giving North America a Christmas card this holiday, conjuring up the biblical story of how a bright object in the sky led three wise men to the infant Jesus. If the sky is clear, Venus--in its three-quarter phase--should be visible Christmas night just below the 2-day-old crescent moon for about one to 1 1/2 hours after sunset, a repeat of Christmas Eve.

Discover sea anemones, sea urchins and perhaps a small octopus in a series of tide pool explorations sponsored by the Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro. Naturalists will guide visitors in finding and identifying these fascinating tide pool animals on weekend outings during low tide, now through Dec. 4. The next tour is planned for Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m. Call (213) 548-7563.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium staff will lead a "Channel Islands Adventure" to explore the environment of Santa Cruz Island on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Participants will board the Sunfish in Oxnard and make a two-hour crossing to the island. Museum staff will discuss the sea birds, fish and marine mammals seen along the way. Passengers will then cruise along the coast of the island before going ashore at Pelican Bay for a hike to learn about the natural and cultural history of the island.