MUSEUM visitors are being invited to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Star Trek: Federation Science, an exhibition exploring the technology behind the hit series, has beamed down to the Hancock Museum in Newcastle.

The exhibition contains more than 30 hands-on displays, as well as costumes, props and models from the TV show and films.

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry worked closely with scientific consultants, university professors and Nasa engineers to ensure that everything in the series was based on real science.

Many of the technologies, which seemed so high-tech when the show was first aired in the 1960s, are now in everyday use, and include floppy disks and Nasa's first ion propulsion drive.

Steve McLean, curator of the Hancock, said: "We are very excited to be bringing Star Trek: Federation Science to the North-East.

"Star Trek has a huge following and it captures the imaginations of all generations.

"Now the Hancock is offering a close-up opportunity to discover the fascinating science facts behind the series whilst experiencing a taste of life as a crew member on board the USS Enterprise."

Visitors will be able to explore the bridge or experience what gravity would be like on other planets.

They will even have a chance to say the immortal words "Beam me up Scotty!" and watch as virtual reality allows them to beam out into another world. The exhibition opens at the Hancock Museum tomorrow and runs until September 9.