The lightsaber wielded by Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker in the original 1977 “Star Wars” is being prepared to take a real-life trip out of this world. The movie prop was given yesterday to representatives from NASA by a troop of people dressed up as “Star Wars” characters so it can take a trip on an upcoming Space Shuttle flight scheduled for liftoff in October. A fan dressed up in a Wookiee costume presented the lightsaber to NASA officials in a ceremony observed by the media. To further publicize the special Shuttle trip Luke’s lightsaber will be on display through Labor Day at the Space Center in Houston right beside moon rocks and other astronomical rarities.

The Space Shuttle Discovery will hold the geeky honor of ferrying the ’saber onboard mission STS-120 scheduled to take off on October 27. The Shuttle …

At the Microsoft E3 press conference held last night in Santa Monica there was lots of news about the company’s plans for “Halo 3″, set for release on September 25. First up is a new Xbox 360 console decorated in Spartan green and gold trim. While Microsoft didn’t say what the exact date of availability for the Halo 3 edition Xbox 360 would be, it’s likely to be the same day that the third “Halo” game comes out. The Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition console will include a 20GB hard drive, a headset, and a play and charge kit all decked out in the green and gold motif. There will also be two new special edition game controllers that you can pick up featuring a more space-y blue color decor.

Microsoft also showed off a new “Halo 3″ trailer directed by Neill Blomkamp, the same fellow …

The fan favorite Battlestar Galactica is moving to Sunday nights in January. This move led many fans to wonder about the prospects of a fourth season of the show. Now Sci-Fi news site syfyportal.com is reporting that the fourth season may be green lighted even before the second half of season 3 begins.

Galactica has been widely acclaimed outside the Sci-Fi community. TV Guide named Galactica one of the 10 best shows of 2006. Entertainment Weekly said Battlestar Galactica was the third best show of 2006. The American Film Institute put Galactica on its Programs on the Year list.

If there is a fourth season for Galactica then it will not probably air until the Fall of 2007.

Battlestar Galactica airs at 10pm ET/PT on the SciFi channel.

Stormtroopers, Sand people, Ewoks and all the favorite characters from Star Wars including Darth Vader and R2-D2 marched into Pasadena for the Rose Bowl Parade.

The parade featured a three part ensemble called the ”Star Wars Spectacular.” The entry commemorated the 30th anniversary of the release of the first Star Wars film in 1977. George Lucas was on hand as well as a large group of Star Wars fans who dressed up as Storm Troopers to march in the parade. Lucas also served as the Grand Marshal of th parade. The Storm Troopers were from the Bloodfin Garrison of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars fan club located in Indiana.

Here is the YouTube footage of the event: