Culled from the collection of Rhino Records’ Cheryl Pawelski, “Spaced Out! The

Culled from the collection of Rhino Records’ Cheryl Pawelski, “Spaced Out! The Final Frontier in Album Covers” cheerfully plunges us into the post-war era of Sputnik, NASA, and the advent of long-playing records (remember those?). The show continues through January; images courtesy of Pawelski/EMP-SFM. Experience Music Project, 325 Fifth Ave. N., 724-3428, empsfm.org. $12-$15. 10 a.m-5 p.m. Read more in The Weekly Wire.Published on August 26, 2009

Although not dead at the time of this album's original release, Wernher von Braun is today turning over in his grave.

Although not dead at the time of this album’s original release, Wernher von Braun is today turning over in his grave.

Welcome to Planet X! Would you like to visit our disco or Judy Garland museum? She is considered a goddess on our planet! Is this your ward...

Welcome to Planet X! Would you like to visit our disco or Judy Garland museum? She is considered a goddess on our planet! Is this your ward…

Whatever happened to those days when records were pre-tested for children?

Whatever happened to those days when records were pre-tested for children?

Nothing says cutting-edge technology like polka.

Nothing says cutting-edge technology like polka.

The sad part? The Spacemen never even made it onto American Bandstand.

The sad part? The Spacemen never even made it onto American Bandstand.

Sometimes distant galaxies appear exactly like a lava lamp.

Sometimes distant galaxies appear exactly like a lava lamp.

More artifacts from the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle.

More artifacts from the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle.

You knew our space-age World's Fair icon would be included, didn't you?

You knew our space-age World’s Fair icon would be included, didn’t you?

Later, when the kids grew into teenagers and they came home stoned one night, this album cover freaked them out!

Later, when the kids grew into teenagers and they came home stoned one night, this album cover freaked them out!

Don't stare into her eyes! Don't stare into her eyes!

Don’t stare into her eyes! Don’t stare into her eyes!

Yes, there is something disturbing about her head.

Yes, there is something disturbing about her head.

Ah, the lunar ballet; there's just something about the moon that makes you want to dance!

Ah, the lunar ballet; there’s just something about the moon that makes you want to dance!

Little-known fact: Mel Torme actually recorded this album on the moon.

Little-known fact: Mel Torme actually recorded this album on the moon.

Before rock opera: space opera.

Before rock opera: space opera.

Budding astronauts need to know their ABCs. U is for Uranus...

Budding astronauts need to know their ABCs. U is for Uranus…