Star Wars: The Force Awakens Desert Planet Looks Like Mars

A scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens with a desert backdrop that looks like the flank of Mt. Sharp on Mars.

Science-fiction movies are getting closer to reality. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, panoramic scenes on a desert planet similar to Tatooine seems to have been designed taking into account photos taken by NASA's rovers on the surface of Mars, specifically images of Mt. Sharp in Gale Crater where the Mars Science Lab, Curiosity has been doing science work, allowing people on Earth to see what it's like on another planet. You can compare the scene from the movie above where there's a fallen Star Destoryer, to the actual photo of Mt. Sharp on Mars below and you will see similar visual elements. The sunset photo at the bottom was taken by the rover Spirit on another part of Mars. See how the hue of the atmosphere is similar to what's depicted in the scene.

The flank of Mt. Sharp as photographed by the rover Curiosity on Mars (color-corrected for Earthling eyes).

The artists behind the planet backdrop of Tatooine did, and are, doing a good job in depicting what could possibly be the actual look of Tatooine from the surface, taking cues from the environs of Mars. With the help of actual photos from the surface of the red planet, Tatooine becomes more real and plausible. So, what the filmmakers need to do now is find photos of planets to match the environments of the planets Dagobah, Hoth, and Endor.

An actual sunset on Mars as taken by the rover, Spirit. See how the blue hues match what's in the Star Wars scene?

Watch the combined 2 teaser trailers of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) Movie Poster 24"x36"

Mark Hamill's Lightsaber to Go to Space and Back

The STS-120 crew of the Space Shuttle will launch in October carrying a big piece of the International Space Station (ISS). But apart from that, it will also be carrying something smaller and shaped like a flashlight. It's Mark Hamill's lightsaber prop which was used in George Lucas's third Star Wars film, The Return of the Jedi. It will be carried on board the orbiter for the duration of the trip to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the popular science-fiction movie series that has created a huge cult following.

Chewbacca, the Wookiee, will officially hand over the lightsaber to officials of the Space Center Houston (shown with lightsaber case is mdirector of marketing Roger Bornstein). The father and son "clone tandem" of Boba Fett and Jango Fett will also be there to for the send off. When it gets back to Earth, it will be greeted by stormtroopers (one on the left looks female), R2D2 and will be housed in an exhibit at Space Center Houston along with moonrocks.

This is a good publicicty stunt for George Lucas, but I'd rather that he be the one sent to space and back, then be the exhibit at the space center, or at least until people get bored of looking at him through a glass case. Maybe they should use carbonite instead for a more permanent exhibit. Yeah, that would work! But seriously, what would the world do without him? His movies have inspired millions to go into the sciences, bringing out the creative juices of many which led to activity and commercialism that continues to spur the world economy. He's a genius.

There's more about this and plus a Luke Skywalker Jedi pose in i-Mash

Light saber weapon being developed in U.S.

Click here to watch the licensed Clone Wars movie sneak peek from thenewsroom.

Take Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber home! This official replica 's not going into space. Order now!

Feel like you're not yet a Jedi? Then take the wisdom of Yoda from Dagobah to your abode instead! "Compelling, am I not?"

Luke, go to Dagobah... There you shall find Yoda, who will teach you the ways of the force.

Army of R2D2s Invade the United States

What's this? An army of Star Wars R2D2 clones? No. They're really mailboxes made up like the cute droid. They are scattered all over America to mark the 30th anniversary of George Lucas's cult film this year. Coincidentally (or on purpose), a Star Wars-inspired movie, "Heart of an Empire" also comes to the big screen. It is about a group of people doing charity work like visiting children's hospitals while dressed up as Empire stormtroopers. When the amputee-founder's daughter is diagnosed with cancer, the stormtroopers becomes her support group. This is actually a documentary on Albin Johnson's Fighting 501st Legion. The group's intentions are noble and the way they are depicted in the movie is heartwarming, but this picture of Darth Vader looming over a sick kid makes you think, "What's he saying to her? 'Join me and we'll rule the galaxy together'?"