'Fiction to Fact'

"Planet Mars"

Space exploration is brought to life in a new display, "Fiction to Fact" in the Becker Children's Wing at the MonmouthMuseum, Lincroft. More than 100 original space artifacts from the days of science fiction to the present are on loan from Kaller's America Gallery through August 2010.

The collection features toys, games, posters and books, as well as memorabilia from Russia's and America's space missions. Vintage Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon spaceship toys and books are displayed with other rocket and robot collectibles. Fictional astronauts include Snoopy, Barbie, G.I. Joe, Donald Duck and a Cabbage Patch Doll. Miss Piggy appears in her space attire as a mission control commander. Leading characters from Star Trek and Star Wars, ET, Buzz Lightyear and an 8-foot creature that originally appeared in the 1979 movie "Alien."

From the discoveries of ancient astronomers to early rocket science and the future of space travel, the history of space science is brought to life through scenic displays in this hands-on, interactive exhibition.

"Space Capsule

New activities have been added with elements that encourage visitors to experiment, imagine and discover. Explore space science first-hand by touching a meteorite, testing your weight on other planets, shopping for space travel items and crawling through the International

"Space Capsule

Space Station. Visitors to the exhibition begin their tour with a walk through the Hall of Ancient Astronomy. See Galileo's laboratory and hear him speak about his many revolutionary discoveries. Explore the solar

system through interactive presentations on the sun, the planets and the Milky Way. Experience the wonders of the night sky in a StarLab Planetarium show. Learn about NASA, and how astronauts prepare for space travel, experience a rocket launch and travel to the moon's surface!

Becker Children's Wing hours: Tuesday - Friday: 2 - 4:30 p.m. Saturday: 10 Capsule a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m. Star- Lab Planetarium shows: Tuesday - Friday: 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 1:30 and 3 p.m. For more information, call 732-747-2266 or visit www.monmouthmuseum. org.