Whale of an Exhibit to Open in Burbank

Cetaceans will be visiting Burbank soon in a new exhibit, “Masters of the Ocean Realm: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises,” which opens Saturday at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County/Burbank.

The exhibit will use undersea dioramas featuring life-size models of seven species of cetaceans. Special effects, including lighting and sound, will add to the experience.

Interactive exhibits and displays showing migration patterns, biology, interaction with human cultures and conservation issues round out the exhibition. A variety of educational programs, including classes and tours for children and adults, will be offered. Call (818) 557-3562.

ASTRONOMY

* Glenn Orton, of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the International Jupiter Watch, will discuss “Inquest on a Comet,” an examination of the collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy with Jupiter this summer at the Santa Monica College astronomy program on Friday at 8 p.m. in Room 111 of the business building. Call (310) 452-9396.

HEALTH / MEDICINE

* The physiological changes caused by aging will be explored in an 11-session UCLA Extension course, “Biology of Aging,” beginning Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Call (310) 825-7093.

MARINE SCIENCE

* The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will offer a tide pool walk to explore the Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the aquarium and staff members will lead them to the tide pools. Call (310) 548-7562.

ENVIRONMENT

* The natural history of Parma Park, a 200-acre preserve in the foothills of Santa Barbara, will be explored in a trip offered by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History on Oct. 8 beginning at 7:45 a.m. Registration deadline is Friday. Call (805) 682-4711.

* Oak woodland, chaparral and pine forest habitats and an abandoned chrome mine site will be some of the highlights of a five-mile excursion to the Figueroa Mountain area offered by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden on Saturday. Preregistration is required. Call (805) 563-2521.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

* “Tots on the Trail,” a nature walk for children ages 2 to 4 will be held at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center in Franklin Canyon on Thursday at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom for reservations, (310) 858-3090.

* Junior and senior high school students can learn about marine science through hands-on activities and experiments by joining the SEA (Science Education Afternoons) Club, a four-session class offered by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium beginning Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m. To register call (310) 548-7563.