Author: Niamh Kaminari

CEA 4 Leg 3

Niamh Kaminari

Now we depart the Bubble Nebula and begin making our way back towards “The Bubble” while making a stop first at the Veil West Nebula as our next basecamp. Along the way visiting other points of interest.

Dates

Start Date: February 5, 2022
End Date: February 19, 2022

Distances

Basecamp Line: 6,035.41 Ly
Main Waypoints: 10,241.70 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 15,358.67 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: Veil West Sector DL-Y D68

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Mu Cephei
    • KY Cygni
    • BD+41 4004
    • S171 43
    • Sadr
    • Veil West Sector DL-Y D68

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: Mu Cephei
    • One of the largest red supergiants. Also known as Herschel’s Garnet Star. In the constellation Cepheus. Since 1943 the spectrum of this star has served as the M2 Ia standard by which other stars are classified. It is one of the largest known stars, and if it was placed in the center of our solar system would extend to between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: KY Cygni
    • One of the top 10 largest known stars. If placed in the center of the solar system, it would extend past the orbit of Jupiter. It is also quite close to the Crescent Nebula. It is estimated to go supernova within 2 million years.

      Station nearby: Medusa’s Rock in Crescent Sector GW-W C1-8
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: BD+41 4004
    • POI: NGC 7027
    • The Jewel Bug Nebula, is a planetary nebula within the Cygnus constellation portion of the sky. It was discovered in 1878 by Édouard Stephan at Marseille Observatory. It is both one of the visually brightest planetary nebulae, as well as one of the smallest.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: S171 43
    • POI: NGC 7822
    • NGC 7822 is a star forming complex in the Cepheus constellation containing both the emission regions known as Sharpless 171 and Berkeley 59. The complex also includes one of the hottest stars discovered within 1 kiloparsec of our own solar system, BD+66 1673 (in game as HIP 139), which is an eclipsing binary system with an O5V spectral star with surface temperature over 45,000 Kelvin and a luminosity about 100,000 times that of our sun.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Sadr
    • Sadr, also known as Gamma Cygni is a star in the Cygnus constellation, and forms the intersection of the Northern Cross asterism. It is the main star of a multi-star system designated WDS J20222+4015, with the secondary component being a binary pair designated CCDM J20222+4015BC. Sadr is a supergiant that is one of the brightest stars in the night sky with an apparent visual magnitude of 2.23. Compared to our own sun, it is 12 times as massive, 150 times the radius, and emitting 33,000 times the energy.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Veil West Sector DL-Y D68
    • POI: Veil West Nebula
    • Designated as NGC 6960, a nebula in the Cygnus constellation and constitutes the visible portions of the Cygnus Loop. It is the remnants of a supernova. It is also sometimes referred to as the Cirrus Nebula or the Filamentary Nebula.

      Additional viewing site suggestion: Veil West Sector PD-S B4-2, puts it nearly in line with Barnard’s Loop for a spectacular view.
    • SIMBAD Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Mu Cephei
    • KOI 1701
    • KY Cygni
    • BD+41 4004
    • Oochody AA-Y c17-1
    • NGC 40 Star
    • 9 i Persei
    • S171 43
    • Sadr
    • Alpha Cygni
    • Veil West Sector DL-Y D68

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: KOI 1701
    • POI: KOI-1071.01
    • The first planet in this system is KOI-1701-01 is an extrasolar planet candidate around the KOI-1701 star. In the Elite: Dangerous in-game galaxy it is, as of September 2021 the highest gravity landable planet known in the in-game galaxy at 45.32G, If you go to land on this planet, use EXTREME caution.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Oochody AA-Y C17-1
    • POI: Oochody AA-Y c17-1 2
    • Glowing Green Gas Giant
  • Map Reference: NGC 40 Star
    • POI: Bow-Tie Nebula
    • NGC 40, also known as the Bow-Tie Nebula (but not to be confused with the Bow Tie Nebula) is a planetary nebula sicovered by William Herschel in 1788. The central carbon-rich Wolf-Rayet star is one of the hottest known stars with a surface temperature over 50,000 degrees Celsius. About 30,000 years from now, the star will die leaving behind a white dwarf approximately the size of Earth.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: 9 i Persei
    • POI: Perseus OB1
    • Perseus OB1 is an OB association (clusters of 10 to 100 massive O or B spectral class stars, along with hundreds to thousands of other lower spectral class stars) in the Perseus constellation, containing the clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884. 9 Persei (Flamsteed Designation) also known by Bayer Designation of i Persei is the brightest member of the OB association.

      (Note: “9 i Persei” is not a proper reference to the star, but Elite does this weird thing at time whereit smashes together a star’s Bayer and Flamsteed designations like that)
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Alpha Cygni
    • POI: Deneb
    • The brightest star in the Cygni constellation, and 19th brightest star in the night sky. It represents the tail of the swan in the Cygnus constellation. This star is the star ionizing the North America Nebula and Pelican Nebula. Was also featured multiple times in the science fiction series Star Trek, most notably in the first ever episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link

CEA 4 Leg 2

Niamh Kaminari

We are now launching into our second of 4 legs for Celebration of Early Astronomy 4! This leg doesn’t have too many main waypoints, but there is still plenty to explore in and around each of the places represented by the main waypoints.

Additionally there are some optional waypoints to visit for those interested in the lore of the game’s universe, particularly that of the shadowy group known as “The Club.”

Dates

Start Date: January 22, 2022
End Date: February 5, 2022

Distances

Basecamp Line: 8,332.40 Ly
Main Waypoints: 10,657.41 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 18,186.08 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: Bubble Sector LX-T B3-1

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • BD+46 1067
    • Hypoae Ain MO-I D9-37
    • RS Persei
    • Bubble Sector LX-T B3-1

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: BD+46 1067
    • POI: IC 2149
    • IC 2149 is a planetary nebula around the star BD+46 1067, discovered by Williamina Felming in 1906. It is located in the sky from Earth within the Auriga constellation. It is hypothesized that the plantery nebula that our own sun will eventually make will be very similar to this particular one. If you are having trouble leaving this waypoint, you can route to IC 2149 Sector DL-Y d0, which is a neutron star. You can route to the next waypoint from there. Note that you may need Jumponium for this.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Hypoae Ain MO-I D9-37
    • POI: Heart & Soul Nebulae
    • This is a pair of nebulae very close to each other. First is the Heart Nebula, aka IC 1805. An emission nebula in the Persues Arm of the Mily Way, and in the Cossiopeia constellation of the sky. Within the nebula is a bright open cluster of stars known as Collinder 26 and contains a few bright stars nearly 50 times the mass of our sun, as well as many more dim stars. The size of the nebula in the night sky is nearly 2 degrees of arc, making it nearly four times the size in the night sky as the full moon.

      The second nebula is the Soul Nebula, also known as Westerhout 5. It is also an emission nebula like the Heart Nebula. Near the nebula in the night sky can also be seen the galaxies Maffei 1 and Maffei 2 of the Maffei Group. Soul Nebula is one of the most studied nebula in the field of star formation, due to it’s angle to us and ease of seeing the gas cavities and stellar formation areas allowing sceintists to easily see how gas cavities formed from the stellar winds of a star’s birth compress gasses together from other cavities leading to a chain reaction of stellar formation.

      Multiple SIMBAD Links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • Heart Nebula: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Heart+Nebula
      • Soul Nebula: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Sh+2-199
      • Collinder 26: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Collinder+26
      • Maffei Group: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Maffei+Group
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: RS Persei
    • Red Supergiant located in the Double Cluster (Caldwell 14) in the Perseus constellation. In the game galaxy version it is orbited by a landable planet so close that you can fuel scoop while in orbital flight.

      There is a bountiful count of other real world celestial objects nearby as well.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Bubble Sector LX-T B3-1
    • POI: Bubble Nebula
    • The Bubble Nebula, also known as NGC 7635 is an emission nebula in the Cassiopeia region of the sky. It is formed from stellar wind from the central star BD+60 2522. (For whatever reason however in the in-game galaxy it placed that star nearly 5,000 Ly away from the bubble nebula)

      While BD+60 2522 is around two million years old, the Bubble Nebula is only about 40,000 years old. It is hypothesised that the bubble formed as a shock front where stellar wind meets interstellar material at supersonic speeds as the wind from the star travels outwards at between 1,800 to 2,500 kilometers per second.

      Multiple SIMBAD links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • Bubble Nebula: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Bubble+Nebula
      • BD+60 2522: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=BD%2B60+2522

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • BD+46 1067
    • Hypoae Ain MO-I D9-37
    • RS Persei
    • Eafots RA-G B11-0
    • Eafots LZ-H B10-0
    • Eafots EU-R C4-1
    • Eafots GL-Y E2
    • Syreadiae JX-F c0
    • Bubble Sector LX-T B3-1

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: Eafots RA-G B11-0
    • Body: 3
    • AKA: Formidine Rift Gamma Settlement
    • One of four lore related abandoned settlements out in the Formidine Rift region related to the lore of The Club. Located on Planet 3.

      A badge is able to be unlocked for users of EDSM by visiting any system within the “Eafots” sector, which this system would count for.
  • Map Reference: Eafots LZ-H B10-0
    • Body: D 1
    • POI: Formidine Rift Beta Settlement
    • One of four lore related abandoned settlements out in the Formidine Rift region related to the lore of The Club.

      A badge is able to be unlocked for users of EDSM by visiting any system within the “Eafots” sector, which this system would count for.
  • Map Reference: Eafots EU-R C4-1
    • Body: C 2
    • POI: Formidine Rift Alpha Settlement
    • One of four lore related abandoned settlements out in the Formidine Rift region related to the lore of The Club.

      A badge is able to be unlocked for users of EDSM by visiting any system within the “Eafots” sector, which this system would count for.
  • Map Reference: Eafots GL-Y E2
    • Body: 6
    • POI: Formidine Rift Delta Settlement
    • One of four lore related abandoned settlements out in the Formidine Rift region related to the lore of The Club.

      A badge is able to be unlocked for users of EDSM by visiting any system within the “Eafots” sector, which this system would count for.
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Syreadiae JX-F c0
    • POI: The Zurara
    • The Zurara is a lore related abandoned megaship located out here in the Formidine Rift. This can be a bit of a detour from the main leg but if it is of interest to you it’s worth the trip while you’re already in the area. It is related to the lore of the shadowy “The Club.”

      Stars become rather sparse along the route from Heart & Soul Nebulae to this system, so make sure you have adequate jump range to make the journey.

CEA 4 Leg 1

Niamh Kaminari

Welcome to the first leg of our fourth expedition! In this leg we will be beginning to travel southward through the Orion Nebula and Barnard’s Loop regions and finishing up at the Crab Nebula.

Dates

Start Date: January 8, 2022
End Date: January 22, 2022

Distances

Basecamp Line: 6,949.14 Ly
Main Waypoints: 10,636.55 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 11,710.95 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: Crab Pulsar

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Keltim
    • TRAPPIST-1
    • Betelgeuse
    • Mintaka
    • Alnitak
    • Rigel
    • PMD2009 48
    • Epsilon Orionis
    • VY Canis Majoris
    • ALS 299
    • CXOU J061705.3+222127
    • Crab Pulsar

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: Keltim
    • POI: GL 149
    • Our faction’s home system, Keltim is also the real binary star pair known as GL 149, containing the stars CD-24 1826 and WT 1402.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: TRAPPIST-1
    • The system where the real world and the Elite: Dangerous procedurally generated galaxy collided with each other. In early 2017 astronomers discovered seven approximately Earth-sized rocky exoplanets in orbit of Trappist-1. Three of which were within the habitable zone of this ultra-cool red dwarf star roughly 39.5 light years from Earth. Players of Elite: Dangerous quickly realized that there was a system in roughly the correct location called Core Sys Sector XU-P A5-0 at 42 Ly from Sol that happened to be a brown dwarf, not much colder than the red dwarf named Trappist-1 with seven terrestrial worlds around it. The system was officially tweaked to be a red dwarf and renamed to Trappist-1 for the 2.3 update.
  • Map Reference: Betelgeuse
    • Ninth brightest star in the night sky, and second brightest in the constellation Orion. Red supergiant of spectral type M1-2, one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye. This star is one of the shoulders of Orion.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Mintaka
    • The westernmost star of Orion’s Belt, a very recognizable landmark in the night sky.
  • Map Reference: Alnitak
    • The easternmost star of Orion’s Belt, a very recognizable landmark in the night sky.
      There is a POI there named “Impressive Rings” on one of the other stars in the system.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Rigel
    • Rigel is the brightest star in the constellation Orion. It is expected to eventually end in supernova. Additionally it has two known companions Rigel B and Rigel C. However in-game it only seems to have Rigel B.
  • Map Reference: PMD2009 48
    • POI: Orion Nebula
    • The Orion Nebula is a diffuse nebula situated south of Orion’s Belt in the constellation of Orion. It is one of the brightest nebulae in the night sky and is visible to the naked eye. It is also the closest region of massive star formation to our solar system. One of the most photographed objects in the night sky, and subject of intense study.

      For those looking to dock to repair, refuel, and/or sell exploration data, there is also a starport located here in the PMD2009 48 system called the “Orion Nebula Tourist Center.”

      Three SIMBAD Strasbourg links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • Orion Nebula: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=Orion+Nebula
      • Orion Nebula Cluster: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=%40811295&Name=NAME%20Orion%20Nebula%20Cluster
      • PMD2009 48: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=PMD2009+48
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Epsilon Orionis
    • POI: Alnilam
    • To accompany Alnitak and Mintaka earlier in the leg, Alnilam is the middle star of Orion’s Belt.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: VY Canis Majoris
    • The largest known star at the time of the in-game galaxy’s creation. There have been larger stars, such as UY Scuti discovered since, but they do not appear in the game. At this time this is the largest known star in the in-game galaxy. It is a red hypergiant located in the constellation of Canis Major. If it was placed in the center of our solar system, its surface would extend beyond the orbit of Jupiter at the least. There is still considerable variation regarding the true radius of VY Canis Majoris, some estimates even have it large enough to extend past the orbit of Saturn.
  • Map Reference: ALS 299
    • POI: Thor’s Helmet Nebula
    • NGC 2359 (also known as Thor’s Helmet) is an emission nebula in the constellation Canis Major. The nebula is approximately 3,670 parsecs (11.96 thousand light years) away and 30 light-years in size. The central star is the Wolf-Rayet star WR7 (aka: ALS 299), an extremely hot star thought to be in a brief pre-supernova stage of evolution. It is similar in nature to the Bubble Nebula, but interactions with a nearby large molecular cloud are thought to have contributed to the more complex shape and curved bow-shock structure of Thor’s Helmet.

      Multiple SIMBAD Links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • ALS 299: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=ALS+299&submit=submit+id
      • NGC 2359: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=NGC+2359
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: CXOU J061705.3+222127
    • POI: Jellyfish Nebula
    • IC 443, also known as the Jellyfish Nebula is a supernova remnant, likely from CXOU J061705.3+222127

      Multiple SIMBAD Links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • Jellyfish Nebula: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=IC+443
      • CXOU J061705.3+222127: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=CXOU+J061705.3%2B222127
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Crab Pulsar
    • POI: Crab Nebula
    • The Crab Pulsar (PSR B0531+21) is a relatively young neutron star. The star is the central star in the Crab Nebula, a remnant of the supernova SN 1054, which was widely observed on Earth in the year 1054.[4][5][6] Discovered in 1968, the pulsar was the first to be connected with a supernova remnant.

      Multiple SIMBAD Links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • Crab Pulsar: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Crab+Pulsar
      • Crab Nebula: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Crab+Nebula
    • SIMBAD Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Keltim
    • W Ursae Majoris
    • TRAPPIST-1
    • Betelgeuse
    • Mintaka
    • Alnitak
    • Rigel
    • PMD2009 48
    • Trapezium Sector CB-W C2-3
    • Trapezium Sector VY-A C8
    • Epsilon Orionis
    • VY Canis Majoris
    • V651 Monoceros
    • ALS 299
    • CXOU J061705.3+222127
    • Crab Pulsar

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: W Ursae Majoris
    • W Ursae Majoris is a binary star near to our departure point. It is too faint to see with the naked eye, but it can be viewed with the assistance of a telescope. (There is an unlockable EDSM badge for visiting here)
  • Map Reference: Trapezium Sector CB-W C2-3
    • POI: Messier 78
    • Messier 78 is a nebula in the Barnard’s Loop area, blue and black in colouration. It is a reflection Nebula discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and then included by Charles Messier in his catalog that members of are now referred to as Messier objects. This object was also featured in the 1960s era Japanese anime Ultraman as the location of “The Land of Light” that acted as the homeworld of the Ultramen.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Trapezium Sector VY-A C8
    • Also known as Barnard 33, the Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion, located just south of Alnitak, the easternmost star of Orion’s Belt, and is part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. It appears in the southern region of the LDN 1630 dust cloud.

      Trapezium Sector VY-A C5 is the closest system with the correct viewing angle of the Horsehead Nebula that can be reached due to the Horsehead Dark Region being permit locked.

      Multiple SIMBAD Links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • Horsehead Nebula: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Horsehead+Nebula
      • LDN 1630 Dust Cloud: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=LDN+1630
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: V651 Monoceros
    • POI: Butterfly Nebula
    • The bright clusters and nebulae of planet Earth’s night sky are often named for flowers or insects. Though its wingspan covers over 3 light-years, NGC 6302 is no exception. With an estimated surface temperature of about 250,000 degrees C, the dying central star of this particular planetary nebula has become exceptionally hot, shining brightly in ultraviolet light but hidden from direct view by a dense torus of dust.

      Text credit with photograph: https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2526.html

      Multiple SIMBAD Strasbourg links are relevant to this waypoint:
      • Butterfly Nebula: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Butterfly+Nebula
      • V651 Monoceros: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=V651+Monoceros
    • SIMBAD Link

Celebration of Early Astronomy 4

Niamh Kaminari

Dates: January 08, 2022 to March 05, 2022

Planned Map (Still subject to alterations) (click for full size):
Distance: 39,335.54 Ly

Register Now
See Roster
Join Discord
EDSM Page

“The early 2000s, they were often the speculative setting of early science fiction works. Early imaginings of interstellar travel, first contact with aliens, apocalypses, pandemics, you name it, there was probably a movie or book set in the early 21st century of it. While humanity may not have invented interstellar travel by 2020 as many novels and films purported, they still discovered plenty gems of our galaxy by then.

Lucky for us in 3308 we do have interstellar travel and can visit these gems that humans on Earth in the early 21st century could only dream of visiting. So that is just what we will be setting out to do. This expedition will visit many of the noteworthy celestial objects discovered by the early 21st century, some of which even still are considered noteworthy even today in 3308.

We will be setting off from our faction’s home system Keltim, also known as Gliese 149 to the humans of 2020. From there we will be travelling our route clockwise. Many of the sights on this expedition revisit those featured on earlier CEA expeditions for those that weren’t on those.

— Patron Kezika T. Wylair

==============================================================

Please fill out a sign-up form if you’re coming along!
Note: even if you’re not sure yet all your details, the form will give you an edit link once you submit so that you can come back and edit your submission in the future with any changes you make. Just make sure to save your link!

Sign-up form: https://theexpedition.info/Register
Roster: https://theexpedition.info/Roster
EDSM Page: https://theexpedition.info/EDSM

==============================================================

Summary and Information

Dates: January 08, 2022 to March 05, 2022
Waypoint Count: 35
Distance: 39,335.54 Ly
Expedition Discord: https://theexpedition.info/Discord

Odyssey Compatibility Notes: With Horizons and Odyssey at this time currently split and some people not having Odyssey we will do basecamps in Horizons if needed. There is a private question on the registration form regarding if you have Odyssey or not. When we announce basecamps the bot in our server will make a post that you can RSVP to if you plan on coming. We will cross-reference the attendee list with the Roster to make the determination of if the basecamp needs otbe help in Horizons or if only Odyssey compatible players are attending that particular one.

==============================================================

Waypoints

Start: Keltim
End: T Tauri

=====================
Current Waypoint List (each leg is 2 weeks)
=====================

Leg 1

  • Keltim (GL 149)
  • TRAPPIST-1
  • Betelgeuse
  • Mintaka
  • Alnitak
  • Rigel
  • PMD2009 48 (Orion Nebula)
  • Epsilon Orionis
  • VY Canis Majoris
  • ALS 299 (Thor’s Helmet Nebula)
  • CXOU J061705.3+222127 (Jellyfish Nebula)
  • Crab Pulsar (Crab Nebula)

Leg 2

  • BD+46 1067
  • Hypoae Ain MO-I D9-37 (Heart & Soul Nebulae)
  • RS Persei
  • Bubble Sector LX-T B3-1 (Bubble Nebula)

Leg 3

  • Mu Cephei
  • KY Cygni
  • BD+41 4004 (NGC 7027)
  • S171 43 (NGC 7822)
  • Sadr
  • Veil West Sector DL-Y D68 (Veil West Nebula)

Leg 4

  • HIP 102082
  • CoRoT-9 (CoRoT-9b)
  • 46 Upsilon Sagittarii
  • Snake Sector PD-S B4-1 (Snake Nebula)
  • PSR J1856-3754 (Coronet Pulsar)
  • IC 4604 Sector FB-X c1-17 (Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex)
  • Antares
  • Shapley 1 (Fine Ring Nebula)
  • HIP 62270 (Coalsack Nebula)
  • Alcyone (The Pleiades)
  • GMM2008 22 (NGC 1333)
  • 40 o Persei
  • T Tauri (Hind Nebula)

=====================

Each Leg will additionally have an announcement post when they start detailing any optionals they may have added to them. Optional waypoints are subject to be added during the expedition up until the start of the leg.

=====================

Register Now
See Roster
Join Discord
EDSM Page

CEA 3 Leg 7

Niamh Kaminari

This is the final leg of the Celebration of Early Astronomy 3 expedition. At the end we shall have an extended basecamp end party in T Tauri inside the beautiful Hind Planetary Nebula.

Dates

Start Date: September 18, 2021
End Date: October 2, 2021
Note: EDSM Tracking will be active for stragglers until November 3, 2021

Distances

Basecamp Line: 16,089.86 Ly
Main Waypoints: 16,122.92 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 16,760.77 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: T Tauri

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Cl Pismis 24 1
    • Hen 2-215
    • T Tauri

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: Cl Pismis 24 1
    • Cl Pismis 24 1, is a binary system in the Pismis cluster within the NGC 6357 nebula. It was originally thought to be the most massive and luminous known star at an estimated 200 to 300 solar masses. However, later observations and scientific advancements allowed for it to be resolved that it was two stars orbiting each other, each still among the most massive and luminous known stars in existence respectively.

      Further observations since the in-game galaxy was made in 2013 also suggest that one of the stars may be a very compact binary of it’s own, but we have so far been unable to conclusively determine that.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Hen 2-215
    • POI: Cheerio Nebula
    • NGC 6337, also known as the Cheerio Nebula is a toroidal planetary nebula in the Scorpius constellation. It appears as a ring shaped transparent nebula. There is convincing evidence that a binary nucleus exists at the center of the planetary nebula.
  • Map Reference: T Tauri
    • POI 1: T Tauri
    • POI 2: Hind Variable Nebula
    • T Tauri is a variable star in the Taurus constellation, and the prototypical star of the T Tauri class of variable stars. It was discovered in October 1852 by John Russel Hind, after which it’s planetary nebula, the Hind Variable Nebula was also named. — Strangely enough despite being the prototype star of the T Tauri classe of stars, the in-game representation does not have them as T Tauri stars.

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • OGLE-05-071L
    • MOA-2009-BLG-266L
    • Cl Pismis 24 1
    • Cl Pismis 17
    • Hen 2-215
    • CDP-41 7712
    • HR 6265
    • Shapley 1
    • Antares
    • T Tauri

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: OGLE-05-071L
    • AKA: OGLE-2005-BLG-071Lb
    • OGLE-2005-BLG-071Lb is an exoplanet discovered by the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment in 2005 using gravitational microlensing. It is believed to have about 3.5 times the mass of Jupiter and orbit roughly 3.6 AU from the star. However another model predicts a slightly lower mass of 3.3 times Jupiter mass and an orbit of 2.1 AU and is considered only slightly less likely of a match.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: MOA-2009-BLG-266L
    • POI: MOA-2009-BLG-266Lb
    • MOA-2009-BLG-266Lb is an exoplanet discovered in 2010 using gravitational microlensing. It is believed to have a mass of roughly a quarter of Jupiter’s mass, and orbits at a range of about 3.2 AU from its parent star.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Cl Pismis 17
    • This system is also part of the Pismis cluster, it is the one we used for our basecamp on CEA 1 on planet “7 B A” at Bio Site 1. There are biologicals here to possibly check out as well for those interested.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: CDP-41 7712
    • AKA: Caldwell 76, NGC 6231
    • Caldwell 76, also known as NGC 6231 is an open cluster in the southern sky. It is a swath of young bluish stars in the constellation Scorpius
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: HR 6265
    • HR 6265, commonly known as HD 152270 is a Wolf-Rayet star with a white dwarf companion in the NGC 6231 open cluster.
  • Map Reference: Shapley 1
    • POI: Fine Ring Nebula
    • Shapley 1 was discovered in 1936 by Harlow Shapley, it is an annular planetary nebula viewed from Earth almost perfectly perpindicular. In reality it is determined that the central star is a white dwarf, however in-game it is represented by a Wolf-Rayet. This may be due to new data since the in-game galaxy was created.
  • Map Reference: Antares
    • The 15th brightest star in the night sky and the brightest star in the Scorpius constellation. It is often referred to as The Heart of the Scorpion because of its distinct red hue when viewed with the naked eye.

      It is a red supergiant and among the largest known stars. It also has a companion star Antares B which is a typical B-class star
    • Note: Previously this system would jump you into the “B” star for whatever reason. Not sure if this is still the case in Odyssey.

CEA3 Leg 3

Niamh Kaminari

It is now time for the third leg of Celebration of Early Astronomy, and this is the one that passes near Colonia for those interested in visiting it, or “getting out of the black” for a little bit.

Dates

Start Date: July 24, 2021
End Date: August 7, 2021

Distances

Basecamp Line: 17,474.22 Ly
Main Waypoints: 8,999.86 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 19,385.95 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: 15 Sagittarii

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • XTE J1856+053
    • PSR J1852+0031
    • AXP 1E1841-045
    • 15 Sagittarii

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: XTE J1856+053
    • POI: INTREF 948
    • XTE J1856+053, also known as INTREF 948 is a transient X-Ray binary that was observed with higher than usual outbursts in 1996 and 2007.
    • Extra Note: This was also included as an Optional Waypoint on Leg 2 as well, so you may have already visited this in Leg 2 possibly.
  • Map Reference: PSR J1852+0031
    • This is a pulsar discovered and studied by the Parkes Multibeam Pulsar Survey
  • Map Reference: AXP 1E1841-045
    • AXP 1E1841-045 is ananomalous x-ray pulsar , thought to be a magnetar, located within the Kes-73 supernova remnants.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: 15 Sagittarii
    • 15 Sagittarii is a double-lined spectroscopic binary star system matching the profile of a massive O-type supergiant star. It ionizes the H II region along the western edge of the molecular cloud L291 along with an I-type star 16 Sagittarii (not in game)
    • SIMBAD Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • XTE J1856+053
    • V1343 Aquilae
    • TT Aquilae
    • PSR J1852+0031
    • PSR J1905+0154A
    • PSR J1905+0154B
    • AXP 1E1841-045
    • Far Tauri
    • Tisdar’s Retreat
    • 15 Sagittarii

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: V1343 Aquilae
    • POI: SS 433
    • SS 433, also known as V1343 Aquilae is the first ever discovered microquasar. It is an eclipsing X-ray binary system with the main star most likely a black hole and the spectrum of the companion star suggests it to be a late life A-type star. However there are speculations that the main star might actually be a neutron star and not a black hole.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: TT Aquilae
    • TT Aquilae is a yellow-white supergiant Classical Cepheid Variable star in the Aquilae constellation. Classical Cepheid variable stars are young stars that exhibit radial pulsations with a periods between a few days to few weeks and visual amplitude fluctuations from a few tenths to up to 2 magnitudes worth.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: PSR J1905+0154A
    • A pair of pulsars that are a double star, interestingly though in the in-game galaxy the two systems have the same exact coordinates.
  • Map Reference: PSR J1905+0154B
    • POI: V408 Vulpeculae
    • A pair of pulsars that are a double star, interestingly though in the in-game galaxy the two systems have the same exact coordinates. This system has the star V408 Vulpeculae in it which is a Classical Cepheid Variable star discovered in 1898 at the Potsdam Observatory by Gustav Müller and Paul Kempf. A study in 1991 revealed that V408 Vulpeculae is a spectroscopic binary. In 1996 it was calculated that it has an orbital period of 2510 days with it’s binary companion star. It’s companion star is invisible from earth and is only known from its effect on the motion of V408 Vulpeculae.
    • SIMBAD Link to PSR J1905+0154B
    • SIMBAD Link to V408 Vulpeculae
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Far Tauri
    • POI: (NBORO) Colonia Region
    • Far Tauri is Simbad Regime’s Colonia faction’s main base within the Colonia region. If you have exploration data to sell at this point in the expedition, selling to the settlement Chaydar Correctional in this system would be appreciated!
  • Map Reference: Tisdar’s Retreat
    • POI: (NBORO) Tisdar’s Retreat
    • This is a system that in patch 3.3.0.2 Frontier Developments renamed to Tisdar’s Retreat for some unspecified reason.

CEA 4 Sneak Peek

Niamh Kaminari

This is all a work in progress, but here is some of the work being done towards planning the fourth Celebration of Early Astronomy expedition.

For CEA 4 we are looking at a start date sometime in January or February 2022. In regards to the route we are looking to rehash some of the waypoints that were visited on CEA 1 & 2, as well as some new ones as well.

For a visual reference, here is a map chart showing the routes of all of the CEA expeditions, as well as the current in-progress route for CEA4. Note that I intend to add some more sights from the “northeast” area of CEA2 to the CEA4 route as well.

  • CEA1: Blue
  • CEA2: Orange
  • CEA3: Green
  • CEA4: Red

CEA3 Leg 2

Niamh Kaminari

The first leg of Celebration of Early Astronomy 3 has been completed and with that we launch the second leg of the expedition! Here are the details!

Dates

Start Date: July 17, 2021
End Date: July 24, 2021

Distances

Basecamp Line: 6,641.65 Ly
Main Waypoints: 7,546.05 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 9,436.09 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Leg 2 Map

Basecamp: PSR J1902+0615

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • PSR J1926+1648
    • PSR J1915+1009
    • PSR J1902+0615

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: PSR J1926+1648
    • This is a pulsar over in the “western” part of the galaxy, discovered and studied by Arecibo Radio Telescope around 2008.
  • Map Reference: PSR J1915+1009
    • PSR J1915+1009 is a pulsar in the “western” portion of the galaxy that has been studied due to having “diverse polarization angle swings.”
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: PSR J1902+0615
    • PSR J1902+0615 is a pulsar in the “western” part of the galaxy that was discovered by the Parkes Multibeam Pulsar Survey.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • PSR J1926+1648
    • PSR J1915+1009
    • HD 174372
    • XTE J1856+053
    • PSR J1902+0615

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: HD 174372
    • HD 1774372 is a spectral type B main sequence star. One of the furthest westward non-procedural main sequence stars in the in-game galaxy. It seems by my database that HD 235643 would be the actual furthest westward non-procedural main sequence star in the in-game galaxy.
  • Map Reference: XTE J1856+053
    • This is a low mass X-Ray binary discovered in 1996 and then studied again on and around 28 February 2007 for a new outburst. It is believed based on the low temperature accretion disk that a black hole is the object with the accretion disk.