“Star Trek” turns 50 on Sept. 8, and instead of buying it a fancy sports car, our mission is to boldly go down the “Star Trek” rabbit hole, or rather, wormhole, and nerd out about the show to mark this milestone. We spoke to fellow Trekkies, including a writer, a showrunner and a scientist, about why the series matters to them. Check out the rest of our 50th anniversary coverage here.

Fans of “Star Trek” can now be a part of the franchise’s universe themselves. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space museum in New York City is celebrating “Star Trek’s” birthday with a large exhibit called “The Starfleet Academy Experience.” 

As you walk in, a projected Starfleet officer greets you. You can then make your way to different interactive stations and look at costumes and props from the show. 

Click the above audio to hear responses from attendees and take your own tour of the exhibit with our mini photo gallery below.  

Ray Gaffoor from Toronto, Canada; Marketplace producer Levi Sharpe; and Monica Ferguson from New City, New York, get teleported:

Janet Nguyen/Marketplace

Caitlin Royal, 27, gives herself alien features:

Levi Sharpe/Marketplace

A row of different “Star Trek” captain’s costumes:

Levi Sharpe/Marketplace

A view of some “Star Trek” props:

Levi Sharpe/Marketplace

A recreation of the bridge from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”:

Levi Sharpe/Marketplace