Model of the U.S.S. Enterprise

CONCORD — Science fiction fans saw their seven-year wait for a new Star Trek movie come to an end last week, as J.J. Abrams’s new film, “Star Trek” opened across the nation.

To coincide with the film’s release, the new McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord announced last week that it will have some rare Star Trek items on display, offering some real history behind the landmark series.

A uniform worn by Transporter Chief Janice Rand, played by Grace Lee Whitney, in “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” (1979) will be on display, as well as chairs from the set of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-1994). The items were purchased at the October 2006 “40 Years of Star Trek” auction at Christie’s in New York. Fans can come see the Star Trek memorabilia, and sit in some of the actual chairs used by Captain Jean Luc Picard and his crew.

“Everyone here loves science fiction,” said Jeanne Gerulskis, executive director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. “And the amazing technology of Star Trek, from medical scanners to communicators, gave us all a glimpse of the future.”

The new McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center features 21st century interactive exhibits on aviation, astronomy, Earth and space sciences, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and a variety of science and engineering programs. The engaging educational programs are geared toward families, teens, seniors, students, community groups, and lifelong learners.

Uniform of Yeoman Rand from Star Trek the Motion Picture

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is located at 2 Institute Drive in Concord. For more information, call 271-STAR or go to www.starhop.com.