Ronster said:

would it be worth using a powerful rocket instead of a laser... similar to atomic bomb?

or a steampunk style laser?

Just ideas or something to think about...

Yes did consider a rocket. I would love to find a shot or two from those old 50's serials that George is always saying are the basis for SW like Flash Gordon or Buck Rodgers (Especially as they both got hastily remade post SW).

Point me to a few YouTube clips of what things you're thinking about.^

For the Death Star explosion I've got the Valley Forge nuking from Silent Running in mind.