Exhibit to Focus on AIDS Crisis

An in-depth exhibit on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) will open at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park on Thursday.

“AIDS and the Immune System: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You,� utilizes multimedia and interactive approaches to provide information about AIDS and how it attacks the immune system.

The exhibit illustrates, in versions suitable for adults, teen-agers and children, how the disease is transmitted and what people can do to protect themselves from the AIDS virus.

Call (213) 744-7400.

ASTRONOMY

The Los Angeles Valley College Astronomy Club will open its fall planetarium season with a program on “The Birth, Life and Death of a Star,� on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. on campus. Call (818) 781-1200, Ext. 335.

The stars, planets and other celestial objects of the autumn desert sky will be explored in a field class offered by the California State University’s Desert Studies Center near Baker on Oct. 11-13. Families are welcome. Call (714) 880-5975.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Gladwin Planetarium program will focus on the different types of galaxies, nearby galaxies such as the Andromeda Galaxy and their general distribution on Saturday evenings in October at 8 p.m. Call (805) 682-3224.

HEALTH / MEDICINE

Panel discussions, exhibits and a symposium on such topics as the homeless mentally ill, the effect of gang violence on a community’s mental health and the evolution of emergency psychiatry will be included in the American Psychiatric Assn.’s 43rd Annual Institute on Hospital and Community Psychiatry, “Overcoming Challenges with Diversity,� Oct. 20-24 at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Early registration is advised. Call (202) 682-6174.

MARINE SCIENCE

The Cabrillo Marine Museum’s “Science at the Seashore� series resumes with weekend tide pool walks at the Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge on Oct. 6 at 1:30 and Oct. 20 at 12:30 p.m. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Call (213) 548-7563.

Colorful and entertaining descriptions of fish species of the Pacific Coast will highlight a lecture by University of California marine biologist Robin Milton Love at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Call (805) 682-4711.

ORNITHOLOGY

Renowned bird photographer Herb Clarke will discuss the birds of “Wild California� at the meeting of the Los Angeles Audubon Society on Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Plummer Park. Call (213) 876-0202.