Orbital bombardment

Orbital bombardment was an evilmethod of bombarding planets from orbit, usually from large capital ships such as Star Destroyers. Although seldom capable of actually destroying a planet, sustained bombardment at the Base Delta Zero could eradicate all life on the surface, boil away some of the crust, and ignite the atmosphere, turning the planet into a sterile floating ball.

Orbital bombardment was often done at Sith parties for the amusement of Imperial officers, who never really understood how vast a waste of resources it was. On the other hand, the Rebels and New Republic objected to the concept on principle and thus did not employ it...for now.