Category: CEA3

CEA 3 Leg 7

CMDR Kezika

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 6

CMDR KazukoHimura

On this leg we will pass by Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy as we continue our trip back towards the populated bubble.

Dates

Start Date: September 4, 2021
End Date: September 18, 2021

Distances

Basecamp Line: 12,595.07 Ly
Main Waypoints: 12,920.68 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 21,807.38 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: HD 157693

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Sagittarius A*
    • Great Annihilator
    • IGR J17285-2922
    • HD 157693

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: Sagittarius A*
    • Sagittarius A* is the Supermassive Black Hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, the type of black hole generally accepted to be at the center of most, if not all spiral and elliptical galaxies. Observations of stars, most notably S2 that orbit around Sagittarius A* have been used to show the presence of a supermassive black hole at that location. S2’s highly eccentric orbit and proximity to Sagittarius A* has been instrumental for scientists use in determining the location and mass of Sagittarius A. At it’s closest to Sagittarius A S2 was recorded to travel at a speed of 7650 km/s, or 2.55% the speed of light.

      SIMBAD Link for S2: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=%5BEG97%5D+S2
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Great Annihilator
    • Large black hole pair in the galactic center, one of the brightest gamma ray sources found in the Milky Way, producing massive amounts of photon pairs at 511 keV, which usually indicates the annihilation of an electron-positron pair. Additionally it emits high-velocity synchrotron radiation in the radio spectrum for an estimated three lightyears from it.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: IGR J17285-2922
    • A known X-Ray binary in the galactic center that exhibited two outbursts in 2003 and 2010 and went into outburst again in 2019. It has a fairly low luminosity for an X-ray binary however, suggesting that the donor star could be “hydrogen poor.”
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: HD 157693
    • A blue-white supergiant star in the direction of the galactic center. Fairly luminous, albeit just under the limit for naked eye visibility.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Sagittarius A*
    • Stuemeae FG-Y d7561
    • Wepue AA-Z e1744
    • Great Annihilator
    • Hypiae Aurb AA-A G588
    • IGR J17285-2922
    • HD 157693

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: Stuemeae FG-Y d7561
    • POI: Explorer’s Anchorage
    • Explorer’s Anchorage is a station located in this system just next door to Sagittarius A*
  • Map Reference: Wepue AA-Z e1744
    • POI: (NBORO) Black Hole Only Nebula
    • This is a system inside of a nebula with the only star being a black hole. This means the only source of light in the system is from the reflection of the nebula. For Odyssey players there are atmospheric planets within the system. Due to the nature of the system, the atmospheres end up being bands of black on the horizon, because even being as thin as they are, they are enough that they can block the small pittance of light coming from the nebula’s reflection if passing through at enough of an angle, which makes for an interesting sight to behold.
  • Map Reference: Hypiae Aurb AA-A G588
    • POI: (NBORO) Hypiae Aurb AA-A G588 A 1
    • Warning, Extreme Gravity This planet is currently the recordholder for the highest Gs of a landable planet at 11.6g. Attempt landing at your own risk.

CEA3 Leg 5

CMDR KazukoHimura

With travelling out to the northernmost real star in the in-game galaxy out of the way, we begin our legs travelling back towards the bubble with the beginning of Leg 5! We will be travelling to the G2 Dust Cloud which is just north of the galactic center for this leg.

Dates

Start Date: August 21, 2021
End Date: September 4, 2021

Distances

Basecamp Line: 13,260.33 Ly
Main Waypoints: 13,358.72 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 29,167.13 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: G2 Dust Cloud Sector JH-V C2-7255

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • PSR J1740-3052
    • G2 Dust Cloud Sector JH-V C2-7255

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: PSR J1740-3052
    • PSR J1740-3052 is a young 570ms pulsar with an estimated age of only about 350 thousand years. It was originally though to have a companion star in a highly eccentric orbit with it with a mass greater than 11 times that of our sun. However later observations seem to discount that star being the companion star and instead a different star of much smaller radius and mass to be the actual companion star, and the other to just be nearby but not orbitally bound. – The star originally thought to be a companion but no longer thought to be would be 2MASS J17405002-3052039, which is not actually in the in-game universe.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: G2 Dust Cloud Sector JH-V C2-7255
    • POI: G2 Dust Cloud
    • The remnant of an event in 2013 of a gas cloud roughly three times the mass of earth passing within 36 lighthours (129,600 Ls) of Sagittarius A. It survived the encounter and has continued moving past Sagittarius A since 2013.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • HD 158564
    • PSR J1740-3052
    • GRS 1737-31
    • Juenae OX-U e2-8852
    • G2 Dust Cloud Sector JH-V C2-7255

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: HD 158564
    • This K class giant was just discovered in the in-game galaxy yesterday by “CMDR Orange!” and takes the mantle as the new furthest north known non-procedurally generated star in the in-game galaxy. — It was originally thought to be just 29,651.21 lightyears from earth based on parallax measurements conducted in 1997, however new measurements from 2007 have changed that estimate to be 46,594.76 lightyears.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: GRS 1737-31
    • GRS 1737-31 is a stellar-mass black hole located in the Galactic Bar. This system was first observed in the year 1997 during observations of the galactic core, where it was detected as a source of gamma and X-rays. Today, three other stars have been found in the system; two of very hot O-class, and one hot B-class. The high mass and very similar young age of these objects suggests that they originate from a similar area. Orbital periods are also quite short, which appears to point towards either a shared origin or capture. No planets are present in this system.
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Juenae OX-U e2-8852
    • POI: (NBORO) Electrical Lagrange Cloud
    • This system has two points of interest. The first being the nebula in which it resides, named the Hengist Nebula by early explorers after Emperor Hengist Duval, and in the system there is a Notable Stellar Phenomena of an electrically active lagrange cloud

CEA3 Leg 4

CMDR KazukoHimura

Time for Leg 4, and time to haul to Beagle Point!

Dates

Start Date: August 7, 2021
End Date: August 21, 2021

Distances

Basecamp Line: 13,209.82 Ly
Main Waypoints: 15,204.69 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 72,586.68 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: HD 158320

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • 13 Mu Sagittarii
    • HD 158320

Main Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: 13 Mu Sagittarii
    • While this blue-white supergiant is neither the biggest nor brightest known star in our galaxy, it is among those furthest away while still clearly visible with the naked eye from Earth. Part of the explanation for this is that the star is located deep below the galactic plane allowing for a relative clear line of sight to Earth. The other part is obviously that this IS a supergiant star with a total luminosity of 180.000 times that of the Sun. The star is the 13th star of the constellation Sagittarius (measured in apparent magnitude), and besides its designation “Mu Sagittarii” it is also known under the names Polis and Dôu. (From Galactic Mapping Project entry on EDSM page, minor edit for publishing from a 21st century perspective)
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: HD 158320
    • HD 158320 is the furthest north known real star based system in the in-game galaxy. This is based on a search and filtering of the EDSM database ran by CMDR Waterlubber for my purposes of finding such systems. The only more northern systems in the galaxy that do not follow the Blahblah AA-A A#### naming convention are Beagle Point, VonRictofen’s Rescue, and Macedonica’s Leap, none of which are based on real celestial objects. — In real life HD 158320 is a spectroscopic binary system and member of a visial triple system. It is also a possible candidate for the X-Ray Source known as 3U 1727-33
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • 13 Mu Sagittarii
    • V4641 Sagittarii
    • Smootoae QY-S d3-202
    • Beagle Point
    • Oevasy SG-Y D0
    • HD 158320

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: V4641 Sagittarii
    • AKA: SAX J1819.3-2525
    • V4641 Sagittarii is a variable X-ray binary star system in the constellation Sagittarius. It is the source of one of the fastest superluminal jets in the Milky Way galaxy. Amateur astronomer Rod Stubbings made a visual observation of a dramatic outburst during earth year 1999. This observation helped to confirm the source was a black hole with a close binary star. (From Galactic Mapping Project entry on EDSM page)
    • SIMBAD Link
    • EDSM Link
  • Map Reference: Smootoae QY-S d3-202
    • AKA: (NBORO) Luna’s Shadow
    • Situated on the galactic prime meridian, and 1 LY above the galactic plane z-line, some 25,898 LYs from Sagittarius A* on the far side of the galaxy, this system is the physically located antithesis of Sol. Remarkably the star system also has 8 major planets, the third one being a Water World orbited by a moon that is strikingly similar in both appearance, size, and composition to that of the Earth’s moon, Luna, on the opposite side of the galaxy from this location. This moon, nicknamed Luna’s Shadow, is an ideal location for travellers to land at and collect Jumponium resources before heading out to the Abyss. (From Galactic Mapping Project entry on EDSM Page)
  • Map Reference: Beagle Point
    • AKA: (NBORO) Beagle Point
    • Beagle Point marks the end point of a galaxy-spanning expedition undertaken by Commander Kamzel in 3301. At the time, the system was known as Ceeckia ZQ-L c24-0, but Kamzel nicknamed it Beagle Point after his beloved beagle Jack, who had passed away a short time before. One year later, the system was chosen as the final destination of the first Distant Worlds expedition, resulting in an influx of over 500 pilots in April 3302. In recognition of these events, Universal Cartographics officially renamed the system Beagle Point on the 26th of May 3302. At 65,279 LYs from Sol, Beagle Point was one of the most distant star systems a commander could reach prior to the Jumponium and Engineering eras. (From EDSM System Page)
  • Map Reference: Oevasy SG-Y D0
    • AKA: (NBORO) Salome’s Reach
    • This system represents a double galactic record. It is at the same time the most distant system from Sol at 65,647.34 LYs and also the system furthest north of Sol at 65,630.16 LYs. The system was apparently visited by “unknown means” sometime in 3301 by a CMDR Tooth – who originally held the first discovery tagging rights with Universal Cartographics until the system was revisited by more legitimate means by CMDR Ishum in June 3302 once engineered FSD upgrades were introduced. The system contains ‘Salomé’s Reach’ (Oevasy SG-Y D0 B 9 F). At its most extreme, this moon can be over 134,000 Light Seconds further out into the intergalactic void than the primary star is – thus making it the most distant object an explorer can currently visit. It was designated ‘Salomé’s Reach’ in honour of Senator Kahina Tijani Loren (Salomé) by the Children of Raxxla commander who was the first pilot recorded to have landed there (June 1st 3302). (From Galactic Mapping Project entry on EDSM Page)
    • EDSM Link

CEA3 Leg 3

CMDR Kezika

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.

CEA3 Leg 2

CMDR Kezika

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.

CEA3 Leg 1

CMDR Kezika

With the official launch of Celebration of Early Astronomy 3, here is the full information for Leg 1 of the expedition!

Start Date: July 3, 2021
End Date: July 17, 2021

Map, (click for full size):

Leg 1 Map

Basecamp: Merrill’s Star

Main Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Keltim
    • BD+06 3756
    • CoRoT-9
    • R Scuti
    • CoRoT-27
    • NGC 6755 MMU 3
    • HD 181709
    • HD 339086
    • Merrill’s Star

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
  • Map Reference: BD+06 3756
    • POI: NGC 6633 48
    • Chemically peculiar star in IC 4756, more info on IC 4756 in next listed waypoint
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: CoRoT-9
    • POI: IC 4756 & CoRoT-9b
    • This waypoint is for both a stellar cluster and a confirmed extrasolar planet. The stellar cluster IC 4756 is a bright stellar cluster in the Serpens constellation, bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. It is also known as Graff’s Cluster after astronomy Kasimir Graff. Additionally the system known as CoRoT-9 is located within this cluster and contains the confirmed extrasolar planet of CoRoT-9b (CoRoT-9 1 in-game). The CoRoT catalog is the result of a space telescope mission looking for extrasolar planets. Systems named in the CoRoT catalog will have confirmed extrasolar planets.

      The SIMBAD Strabsourg link for CoRoT-9b is: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=%405278222&Name=CoRoT-9b and the SIMBAD Strasbourg link for IC 4756 is: https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=IC+4756
  • Map Reference: R Scuti
    • R Scuti is the brightest known of the RV-Tau-Type stars, and is also a yellow supergiant. It is located in the sky within the Scutum constellation. It’s brightness varies and is visibe to the naked eye at ti’s brightest, and visible with telescope or binoculars when it is dimmer.

      RV Tauri variables often have somewhat irregular light curves, both in amplitude and period, but R Scuti is extreme. It has one of the longest periods known for an RV Tau variable, and the light curve has a number of unusual features: occasional extreme minima; intermittent standstills with only small erratic variation that may last for years; and periods of chaotic brightness changes.

      For more information regarding the peculiarities of R Scuti you can check out it’s page on Wikipedia for a brief overview of them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R_Scuti
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: CoRoT-27
    • POI: CoRoT-27b (exoplanet)
    • CoRoT-27b is a confirmed exoplanet of around the size of Jupiter orbiting close to the star CoRoT-27
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: NGC 6755 MMU 3
    • POI: NGC 6755
    • NGC 6755 is an open cluster of stars within the constellation Aquila
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: HD 181709
    • HD 181709 is one of the brighter stars within the confines of the Aquila constellation, however not quite bright enough for naked eye observation. It is a B-class star.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: HD 339086
    • A B-class type star within the confines of the Vulpecula constellation
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Merrill’s Star
    • Also known as WR 124 and/or QR Sagittae, it is a Wolf-Rayet type star discovered in 1938 by Paul W. Merrill. Besides being a Wolf-Rayet it is also surrounded by the planetary nebula M1-67, and is one of the fastest runaway stars known in the Milky Way Galaxy with a radial velocity of about 200 km/s
    • SIMBAD Link

Optional Waypoints

  • Map References quick reference list, more details below
    • Keltim
    • Alpha Cygni
    • Veil West Sector DL-Y d68
    • IC 4665 P 351
    • BD+06 3756
    • CoRoT-6
    • CoRoT-9
    • Nu Aquilae
    • CoRoT-16
    • CoRoT-17
    • Y Ophiuchi
    • R Scuti
    • Trifid Sector DL-Y d157
    • CoRoT-27
    • NGC 6755 MMU 3
    • HD 181709
    • PSR J1901+0716
    • HD 339086
    • Campbell’s Hydrogen Star
    • Merrill’s Star

Optional Waypoints Details

  • Map Reference: Alpha Cygni
    • AKA: 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.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Veil West Sector DL-Y d68
    • POI: Veil Nebula West
    • 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
  • Map Reference: IC 4665 P 351
    • IC 4665, also known as Collinder 349 and/or Melotte 179 is an open cluster. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. It is a very young cluster, having begun development “only” 40 million years ago. Lying only about 1,400 lightyears from our solar system it can easily be found with telescopes or binoculars, and in a dark enough sky may even be spottable with the naked eye. It is the brightest stellar cluster that wasn’t catalogued by Charles Messier or William Herschel.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: CoRoT-6
    • POI: CoRoT-6b (exoplanet)
    • CoRoT-6b is a confirmed extrasolar planet.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Nu Aquilae
    • Nu Aquilae is a double star in the constellation Aquila that lies close to the celestial equator. It is bright enough to be visible to the naked eye.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: CoRoT-16
    • POI: CoRoT-16b (exoplanet)
    • CoRoT-16b, like the other CoRoT waypoints is a confirmed extrasolar planet.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: CoRoT-17
    • POI: CoRoT-17b (exoplanet)
    • CoRoT-17b, like the other CoRoT waypoints is a confirmed extrasolar planet.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Y Ophiuchi
    • Y Ophiuchi is a supergiant pulsating Delta Cepheid variable type, which means that its size changes over time. With a maginatude between 6.476 and 6.009 it should be visiblet o the naked eye in fairly dark skies. It’s pulsation period is 17.1 days in length.
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: Trifid Sector DL-Y d157
    • POI: Trifid Nebula
    • While the in-game representation of the nebula is not a handcrafted one, and not representative of how it looks in reality, the Trifid Nebula, AKA Messier 20 is a combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula, and a dark nebula. The most massive star in the Trifid Nebula is HD 164492A, an O-class star with a mass more than 20x that of our sun (although not in-game).

      CMDR Henry Killinger has noted that there are unique NSPs in the following three systems within this area as well: Trifid Sector FW-W d1-233, Trifid Sector DL-Y d157, Trifid Sector BQ-Y d244
    • SIMBAD Link
  • Map Reference: PSR J1901+0716
  • Map Reference: Campbell’s Hydrogen Star
    • Also known as HD 184738, Campbell’s Hydrogen Star is a Wolf-Rayet type star at the center of a planetary nebula. It is named after astronomer William Wallace Campbell who discovered it in 1893.
    • SIMBAD Link

Waypoint System Changes in CEA3

CMDR Kezika

The shape of the routes for CEA1 and CEA2 could at times be described as a bit jagged. However with the help of a database of non-procedural systems created for me by CMDR Waterlubber of Simbad Regime and a spreadsheet tool I made for myself I have been able to do more focused searching of waypoints. This resulted in a relatively smoother line for CEA3. As such certain changes have been implemented to what each tier of our waypoints mean than what we had in the previous expeditions.

For those new to Celebration of Early Astronomy those tiers are:

  • Basecamp
  • Main
  • Optionals

Below I will outline what each one means now with CEA3

Basecamp Waypoints

  • Brief: Basecamp waypoints are the bookends of each leg of the expedition.
  • EDSM: These are the waypoints that will be listed on our expedition’s EDSM page. (In the past Main waypoints were also listed, this has changed and only Basecamps will be listed now)
  • Finalization: These are all finalized before the expedition even begins, they are all finalized as of this post.
  • Reality: All Basecamp waypoints are based on real celestial objects. That means either the system is based on a real star or is within the confines of a real nebula or star cluster.
  • Routing: The route between these waypoints should be quite sensible and smooth.
  • Reachability: All basecamp waypoints should be reachable to a 35 Ly jump range ship as far as I am aware, at the very least with minor FSD Injection, but probably won’t even need that.

Main Waypoints

  • Brief: Main Waypoint are along a fairly smooth route between basecamps, set in stone pre-expedition, and featuring sights based on real celestial objects. Basically they are more like how optionals used to be in CEA 1 and 2.
  • EDSM: Main waypoints are not listed on the EDSM route. This is a change from the past.
  • Finalization: Main waypoints are finalized prior to the expedition
  • Reality: Main waypoints are all based on real celestial objects. That means either the system is based on a real star or is within the confines of a real nebula or star cluster.
  • Routing: The route between these waypoints should be quite sensible and smooth.
  • Reachability: All Main Waypoints should be reachable by a ship and not require a fleet carrier. I make no guarantees as to range minimums however.

Optional Waypoints

  • Brief: Optionals are larger detours from the main line between basecamps, and are not always based on real celestial objects (but generally will be still). Unlike previous expeditions, these may experience changes throughout the expedition.
  • EDSM: Optional waypoints are not listed on the EDSM route.
  • Finalization: Optional waypoints are only finalized once the leg they are part of has begun. Additions to the list of Optionals for a particular leg may change up until the day the leg begins.
  • Reality: While generally they will be, not all will be based on real celestial objects. There may be sites (such as Colonia for example) listed that are of significant interest, but “Not Based on Real Object” (NBORO) any Optional Waypoints like that will be prefixed in the waypoints list with (NBORO) to indicate this.
  • Routing: Optional waypoints will be placed between main waypoints where sensible, however I can make no guarantee as to the sensibility or smoothness of the route between optional waypoints themselves. The order as listed in announcement may include some backtracking.
  • Reachability: All Optional Waypoints should be reachable at least by carrier. If for some reason something gets on there that absolutely is not reachable at all let me know, but I make effort not to include such systems.

Waypoint List Releases

With the mention above about Optional Waypoints not being finalized until a leg begins you might be wondering how those are announced. The full list of waypoints for each leg, including Optionals will be released both in a post here on the official site, as well as with an announcement in the Discord server linking to that post.