Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum opens its doors to the first ever Battlestar Galactica exhibition on October 23 with props (including three full-size spaceships), costumes, exhibition films, and more from both the original 1978 sci-fi television series and the wildly popular remake that ended its four-season run last March. UPDATED 10/19/10. Even better? BG cast members Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama), Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek), Kate Vernon (Ellen Tigh), Michael Hogan (Colonel Saul Tigh), and Tahmoh Penikett (Karl ‘Helo’ Agathon), plus executive producers Ronald D. Moore and Glen Larson, are scheduled to attend opening weekend celebrations.

Fans can expect to learn more about the creation of both the 1978 and 2003-04 shows through storyboards and sketches: glimpses into the history of a fleet of human survivors in a war with the Cylon robots who seek sanctuary on the “lost” 13th colony, Earth. The exhibit also boasts something described as a “human/Cylon identity interactive.” Um…sure. Though the show has its Trekkie elements, it succeeds primarily because of its characters, rivaling Lost in terms of critical acclaim, fan fervor, and geeky analytical interpretations.

“ Battlestar Galactica is one of those rare science fiction shows that appeals to a wide range of people because it combines high adventure with very personal drama,” curator Brooks Peck said in a statement. “It explores what it means to be human, and has a lot of fun doing so.”

The exhibit opens October 23 and will stay camped on the third floor of EMP until March 4, 2012, when it becomes a traveling exhibit. You can also take part in these opening-day panel discussions:

Noon-1:30pm: BSG: The Birth of a Legend
Go behind the scenes of the 1978 series with EMP|SFM curator Brooks Peck, who interviews Glen Larson and Richard Hatch.

2:30-4:00pm: Sex, Blood and Cylons: The Re-imagination of Battlestar Galactica
EMP|SFM curator Brooks Peck leads a discussion about the 2004 series revamp with Ronald D. Moore, Edward James Olmos, Michael Hogan, Tahmoh Penikett and Kate Vernon.

Find more information at empsfm.org.