The countdown begins! This Thursday, October 5, is hammer time as Christie's auction house in New York begins bringing the gavel down on items spanning the entire 40-year career of the Star Trek franchise. This historic auction will take place over the course of three days (Oct. 5-7) and promises to be a huge hit throughout the galaxy. (We have it on good authority!)

Now, if you have not already registered to participate, you can check out the Christie's site for more information, but time is seriously running out! If you would just like to know what is going on, then be sure to check out STARTREK.COM in the next week or so for updates and news from the proceedings.

If you want to watch the event live, but can't attend, check out the History.com website for the exclusive webcast. (Story here.)

From "Star Trek Generations" Call Sheets and Costumer's Notes (Lot 1) to the filming model of the Enterprise NCC-1701-A (Lot 1,000), they are all set to go, as the contents of the vaults of CBS Paramount Television are turned over to the public for the first time.

For CBSNews.com's recent coverage, please check the link below for video footage, including an interview with George Takei ("Sulu"). We remind readers that George is not up for auction at this time.