A short time ago in a museum not far away, an imaginative force brought three sciences together.
First, there was science. Then there was popular science. Then came the granddaddy of them all: the “science” of the “Star Wars” saga.
The result is “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination,” and it has come to a museum near you.
This new exhibit, located in the California Science Center in Exposition Park, across from USC, combines the fantastical and futuristic concepts of the “Star Wars” movies with real-life scientific technologies.
“Visitors will be able to explore how current science research may one day lead to real-world versions of many ‘Star Wars’ fantasy technologies,” said Ken Phillips, California Science Center curator of aerospace science.
Alongside original model X-Wings and Star Destroyers, one will see conceptual models of future human spacecraft. Alongside R2-D2 and C-3PO are the real and comparably less sophisticated robots of today.
Like the “Star Wars: The Magic of Myth” Smithsonian exhibit that toured a few years ago, “Star Wars” fans will enjoy the many original movie artifacts, including costumes, models and props. However, unlike the previous tours, now that all the prequels have been finished, this exhibit is the first of any to display items from all six “Star Wars” films.
The entire exhibit is comprised of two major thematic areas: “Getting Around” and “Robots and People.”
“Getting Around” focuses on the transportation of “Star Wars” and the new and future modes of travel. Call it NASA meets the Millennium Falcon, if you will.
In this section’s lab, visitors can see how the forces of magnetism power current high-speed trains, like ones in Japan, by building small platforms attached with magnetic Legos.
“Robots and People” compares the advanced technology of the “Star Wars” robots like R2-D2 and C-3PO to today’s emerging robotic technology. Small exhibits explore areas such as robot mobility, perception and cognition.
Also featured is a short presentation featuring a live-action C-3PO outside his own far away galaxy and into ours, comparing Earth’s up-and-coming robotic technologies to himself. The theater is modeled after the rusted steel interior of a Jawa sandcrawler and has real-life MIT director Cynthia Breazeal, via video projection, narrating part of the film and interacting with the live-action robots.
Han Solo wannabes and fans alike will also enjoy the full-size replica of the Millennium Falcon cockpit. For $2 each, up to four people can sit in the same seats that helped destroy two Death Stars and watch a four-and-a-half-minute multimedia presentation exploring what is known about our own galaxy and beyond.
Narrated by C-3PO, the film is a video journey starting on Earth and traveling beyond the Milky Way toward the countless galaxies in the starkness of space. It also features an advanced Bose sound system that plays straight in your ears, literally.
The $2 investment in the video is well worth it, and not just for the utter awesomeness of being in the Millennium Falcon (for all you “Star Wars” geeks), but for the beautiful visuals of the entertaining and educational video.
Among the historically significant, not to mention cool, film artifacts in the exhibit are the following: costumes for Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan, a Tusken Raider, Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker; models of the Millennium Falcon, an Imperial AT-AT, Tantive IV (the spaceship being chased in the opening shot of Episode IV) and a sandcrawler; Luke Skywalker’s prosthetic hand; and one of the Yoda puppets.
In total, in the 10,000-foot exhibition there are over 100 “Star Wars” artifacts and real-world technologies, 17 videos and 21 interactive exhibits.
Special events are also scheduled and include a lecture by the 501st Legion Southern California Garrison, a “Star Wars” fan organization.
Admission to the exhibit is free but is not guaranteed and will be based on availability and capacity. However, priority admission will be granted to IMAX ticket purchasers and current California Science Center members. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on holidays.
