Ever wonder how your eyes turn light into the images you see? Join us on Thursday, July 10 at 6:00 PM to find out how. Professor Derek Morrelli will present a brief lecture on the science of sight, followed by the film Seeing inside SWOCC’s portable planetarium.

This eye-opening program dives deep into the incredible journey of a single photon of light—from the moment it enters your eye to the moment your brain interprets it as vision. It’s a story of biology, chemistry, and physics, all working together through a process called phototransduction.

This program is free to attend. However, seating is limited. Entrance to the lecture and planetarium is on a first-come, first-served basis, with multiple opportunities to attend.

Derek Morrelli grew up in Tulare, California and attended college at San Diego State University immediately after high school. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Molecular/Cell Biology and a Minor in Chemistry he worked as a researcher in the biotech industry temporarily before earning a Master of Science degree in Chemistry at Fresno State University. In 2022, Derek joined the faculty of Southwestern Oregon Community College as a full-time Chemistry faculty member. For more information about Derek, please visit https://www.socc.edu/chemistry/.