You don’t have to wait until the new season of Battlestar Galactica starts up for some sharp science-fiction — the new Sci-Fi Channel series Eureka starts on July 18th.

The show’s official synopsis: Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Eureka is a small town with big secrets. Shrouded in secrecy, the picturesque hamlet is actually a community of scientific geniuses assembled by the government to conduct top-secret research. What they’ve unwittingly created is a place where anything imaginable can happen… and does.

I’ve seen the pilot (find out more about the show at the OFFICIAL SITE) and it’s a real blast, with a lighthearted tone that doesn’t sacrifice the smarts. It actually reminded me of some of the best X-Files episodes, where they ignored the show’s trappings and confounding mythology to just focus on having high-minded fun.

Good news, right? Here’s some more: you can win a pack of Sci-Fi Channel DVDs that includes The Triangle, Ghost Hunters (Season 1) and Battlestar Galactica (Season 2). But you’ll have to tune in to the premiere of Eureka on July 18th (or one of the multiple encores, so prime the Tivo) — the selected entrants will have to answer specific questions about the show’s first episode before they can claim their prize. Full address info will be collected from final winners after the premiere, but for now, just fire off an email using the link below!

CONTEST HAS ENDED!