San Diego City College students gathered at the campus planetarium for an hour of romantic myths and legends associated with our night sky on Feb. 14.

Located on the third floor of the S building, City’s Yo Soy STEM program hosted “Stellar Love Stories.”

The site was as unique as the event itself. 

In the past, Lisa Will, a professor at City College and resident astronomer, has hosted events to promote this campus feature. Several years ago for the World Cultures program, she did “Mythology of the Solar System”.

“No other school in our district has one at the moment,” Will said. “My classes fill … (but) it’s obvious that not a lot of people know it’s here.”

Currently, Dr. Will tries to push out at least one public show a semester to advertise the planetarium. 

As students and faculty made their way to their seats, the lights in the planetarium were dimmed to red, reminiscent of the Valentine’s Day spirit, and the room gasped.

Lisa Will, a professor at City College and resident astronomer, prepared the eyes of the audience for the tales about to unfold. 

She delved into numerous tales of love written right above viewers’ heads, like Coma Berenices. To ensure her husband’s safety from war, Queen Berenices of Egypt offered her hair as a sacrifice to the goddess Aphrodite.

“Her hair was put amongst the stars, in commemoration of her sacrifice,” Will said.  

Students on hand could also visit a Basic Needs Center resource table. Financial aid center representatives Briseida Padilla and Adrian Ramos were also promoting work-study opportunities. 

Yo Soy STEM will next host “A Journey Through the Solar System,” where attendees will have the opportunity to fly through the solar system, exploring its many different attributes.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21.