From a 30-pound treasure to a half-ton meteorite found a century ago, Nevada has seen its share of fallen stars. Telling their story is the beginning of a bright idea. Fusing their talents, local scientists and historians are kicking off a series of special events to observe the upcoming 2012 solar eclipse.

Dan Ruby, associate director of the Fleischmann Planetarium, will share his experience during a discussion on rare historic Nevada meteorite sightings that kicks off the Solar Eclipse Lecture Series at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Nevada Historical Society, 1650 N. Virginia Street. The series is a cooperative effort with the NHS, the planetarium and the Astronomical Society of Nevada.

“It’s cosmic.  We are so glad to get together and blend the different areas we focus on for this really rare event coming up,” said the Historical Society’s Sheryln Hayes-Zorn.  “We all have pieces of the scientific puzzle, and when we get together, we can see it a little better.”

Two more lectures will lead up to the May 20 solar eclipse.  Nevada Astronomical Society’s Jim Fahey will present “Why Easter Changes Each Year” Saturday, April 21 and “Today the Sun, Tomorrow the Eclipse” on Saturday, May 19 at the Historical Society.

Then, to see and celebrate the 2012 eclipse, the Fleischmann Planetarium is hosting a viewing party Sunday, May 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Redfield Campus Observatory in South Reno, 18600 Wedge Parkway. Admission to the lectures is free and parking passes are available.