The exhibit, which runs through March 5 at this museum (formerly known as the EMP Museum) in the shadow of the Space Needle, marks the 50th anniversary of the original "Star Trek" TV series. Through loans from collectors and his own detective work, curator Brooks Peck assembled more than 100 artifacts from the show's universe – all five live-action TV series (a sixth, CBS's "Star Trek: Discovery," is due in May), the 1970s animated series, and many of the 13 related movies are represented.

SEATTLE — Just as it was at the center of the bridge on the original starship USS Enterprise, Captain James T. Kirk's command chair anchors the "Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds" exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture.


As happy as a devoted fan might be to see an original phaser weapon, the Gorn costume from the "Arena" episode of 1967, or costumes from all five TV captains, the re-creation of the original ship's bridge is clearly the star. The captain's chair, along with a refurbished navigation console that is on public view for the first time, sit at the center of the exhibit with prop displays and interactive kiosks arranged around them.

You can also take command in a replica chair, complete with a backdrop featuring the original crew, after touring the exhibit.

Items on display include a tricorder (hand-held computer), communications officer Lieutenant Uhura's ear-piece, some furry creatures from the 1967 "The Trouble With Tribbles" episode, a re-creation of an enemy Borg station, and costumes from series regulars and guest stars.

The exhibit moves far beyond iconic props and uniforms, with video and text displays that explain the significance of "Star Trek" in pop culture and social history over the decades. The creators' choices of an interracial cast, an optimistic vision of a cooperative future between nations and worlds, and the exploration through sci-fi of controversial topics such as racism, population control, and the Cold War have all kept "Star Trek" in the zeitgeist (and for far more than "Beam me up, Scotty").


The cultural artifacts include a "Picardigan" sweater (a nod to Patrick Stewart's Captain Jean-Luc Picard), a photo of President Obama with hand raised in the Vulcan "Live long and prosper" greeting, and even a Red Sox-logoed Vulcan "foam hand," from a 2015 Fenway Park salute to the series. Visitors can sample pop songs by groups whose lyrics or band names pay tribute to "Star Trek." A continuous film loop displays "Trek" references from TV shows, movies, and beyond.

The two-floor exhibit also includes ship models suspended from the ceiling; a booth where visitors can attempt to mimic Kirk's famous "Khan!" scream from the second movie; and a replica of a "transporter" where visitors can become part of the action. Choose a scene, heed the recorded instructions, then watch a video monitor as you're scattered into twinkly particles and reassembled on a planet's surface, phaser in hand (set to "stun," of course).

While the immersive exhibit could keep fans entertained for hours, there is much more to see on a visit to MoPOP. Several galleries are devoted to music – including Seattle's own Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana – but there is also a sci-fi exhibit with props from "Alien," "Battlestar Galactica" and more, while a fantasy section that weaves through a faux forest displays props and costumes from "The Princess Bride," "The Wizard of Oz" and other tales.


THE MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (formerly EMP Museum) 325 5th Avenue North, at Seattle Center; admission: $30 adults, $27 seniors, $21 ages 5-17 (includes $5 for "Star Trek" exhibit). 206-770-2700, mopop.org.

Ron Driscoll can be reached at rfdkmsd@yahoo.com.