We’ve now reached the fourth and final leg of Celebration of Early Astronomy 4 which will take us to sight near and in the “populated bubble” region of the game, and finally stopping off at our destination in T Tauri.

Dates

Start Date: February 19, 2022
End Date: March 05, 2022

Distances

Basecamp Line: 1,678.44 Ly
Main Waypoints: 7,798.27 Ly
Optional Waypoints: 10,882.09 Ly

Map, (click for full size):

Basecamp: T Tauri

Main Waypoints

• Map References quick reference list, more details below
  • HIP 102082
  • CoRoT-9
  • 46 Upsilon Sagittarii
  • Snake Sector PD-S B4-1
  • PSR J1856-3754
  • IC 4604 Sector FB-X C1-17
  • Antares
  • Shapley 1
  • HIP 62270
  • Alcyone
  • GMM2008 22
  • 40 o Persei
  • T Tauri

Main Waypoints Details

• Map Reference: HIP 102082
  • AKA: V Cygni
  • A very large carbon star with only twice the mass of our sun, but nearly 200 times the size of our sun.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: CoRoT-9
  • POI: 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
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: 46 Upsilon Sagittarii
  • A blue supergiant visible from Earth by the naked eye. Also listed as a green system in case you need to restock on your FSD injection materials. Mammon Monitoring Facility is also near this location in the Mammon system.
    
    Station near route from this waypoint to next: Mammon Monitoring Facility in Mammon
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: Snake Sector PD-S B4-1
  • POI: Snake Nebula
  • A thin wavy “snake shaped” dark nebula, also known as Barnard 72
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: PSR J1856-3754
  • POI: Coronet Pulsar
  • The Coronet Pulsar, cataloged as RX J1856.5-3754 and PSRJ1856-3754 is the closest known neutron star to our own solar system. It was hypothesised for a time to be a “quark star” a still hypothetical star type called a quark star because of early measurements erroneously gauging it as having a surface temperature of 700,000 Celsius. Later measurements more accurately showed a surface temperature of 434,000 Celsius, allowing it to fit back within the models for neutron stars.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: IC 4604 Sector FB-X C1-17
  • POI: Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex
  • The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is a dark nebula of gas and dust that is located 1° south of the star ρ Ophiuchi of the constellation Ophiuchus. At an estimated distance of 131 ± 3 parsecs, it is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: HIP 62270
  • POI: Coalsack Nebula
  • The Coalsack Nebula is the most prominent dark nebula in the night sky from our solar system. It is easily visible to the naked eye as a fark patch obscuring a brief section of the Milky Way (as long as your skies are dark enough to see the Milky Way as a band.)
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: Alcyone
  • POI: The Pleiades
  • The Pleiades is an open star cluster of more than 800 stars location in the Taurus constellation of the night sky. The most prominent stars of it are the stars Maia, Electra, Taygeta, Celaeno, Alcyone, Sterope, and Merope. Then there are the two parent stars named after Atlas and Pleione off to the side from the other seven.
    
    The automotive company Subaru is named after the Japanese name for this cluster as well as borrowing their logo as a stylized representation of the cluster as well.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: GMM2008 22
  • POI: NGC 1333
  • NGC 1333 is a reflection nebula located in the Perseus constellation and part of the Perseus Molecular Cloud
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: 40 o Persei
  • 40 Persei is a binary star system in the Perseus constellation. Bayer designation is o Persei, and Flamsteed designation is 40 Persei; “40 o Persei” is just Elite mashing up those two names for some reason. 40 Persues is a member of the Perseus OB2 association, which is a cluster of stars moving together, which also contains HD 21856, 38 Persei, HD 24131, X Persei, 44 Persei, and 46 Persei.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: T Tauri
  • POI: T Tauri & Hind 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link

Optional Waypoints

• Map References quick reference list, more details below
  • HIP 102082
  • CoRoT-9
  • 46 Upsilon Sagittarii
  • HD 175876
  • Snake Sector PD-S B4-1
  • PSR J1856-3754
  • IC 4604 Sector FB-X c1-17
  • Antares
  • Shapley 1
  • HIP 62270
  • PSR J1300+1240
  • StKM 1-442
  • Sol
  • LHS 200
  • Thuban
  • Alcyone
  • NGC 1333 IRS 2
  • GMM2008 22
  • WMW2010 59
  • 40 o Persei
  • HIP 3289
  • T Tauri

Optional Waypoints Details

Map Reference: HD 175876

AKA: Heaven’s Lathe

The bright O-type star HD 175876 has a companion neutron-star with a surprising feature: Extremely large rings. The effective radius of the rings are 12 light seconds, and it has a mass of 5.16 x 10^17 kg – slightly greater than Thebe, a small moon of Jupiter. As the neutron star has a radius on the order of 10km, this object has an exceptionally large ring size relative to the central body. These massive metal-rich rings would provide enough material for hundreds of years for any colony.

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

Map Reference: PSR J1300+1240

POI: Lich, and exoplanets

Where the first extrasolar planets were discovered in 1992. It is a millisecond pulsar with a rotation period of a mere 6.22 milliseconds (9,650 rpm), but was found to have slight anomalies in its rotational period, leading to investigations as to the cause of that. Those investigation led to the confirmation of the first planets found outside of our own solar system. In 1994 an additional planet was also found in orbit of this pulsar.

Too far to be reachable by most ships, is an optional waypoint as a result

Route to: This route was found by CMDR Merlinsan during this expedition and has been edited into this post, start at HD 112186.

To get back out, can Neutron Boost back to Ushott ZP-X D1-0 and then two jumps to CG-X where 60+ Ly ships should be able to proceed normally from.

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

Map Reference: StKM 1-442

StKM 1-442 is a binary star in the Stephenson K & M stellar catalog which focuses on K and M class main sequence stars. However in-game it is not accuratley displayed as a binary system.

If you have exploration data to sell, this is a system belonging to our own Player Minor Faction, C.E.A. Psychiatric Institutions Ltd. and selling exploration data here could help boost our influence here so that we can expand to further systems.

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

Map Reference: Sol

First discovered in 450 BC by Anaxagoras, Sol is a G-class main sequence star of exactly 1 solar mass and 1 solar radii. It also hosts a mostly harmless Earth-like world “Earth” as its third planets, containing sentient lifeforms known as humans. (although their sentience is sometimes questionable)

What we mean by discovered in 450 BC by Anaxagoras is that this they were first to propose that our Sun may be a star like the other ones in the sky. It was later again suggested by Aristarchus of Samos, but did not catch on until later on still.

Other important first discoveries in this system:

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn: 2nd millenium BC by Babylonian astronomers. Used as evidence of the helicentric model by Aristarchus of Samos, and later in De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium by Nicolaus Copernicus

Ganymede, Callisto, Io, Europa: 7th and 8th January 1610 by Galileo Galilei

Titan: Christiaan Huygens, 13 June 1655

Iapetus and Rhea: Giovanni Domenico Cassini, 25 October 1671 & 23 December 1672 respectively

Tethys & Dione: Giovanni Domenico Cassini, 21 March 1684, published in Kosmotheôros

Uranus: William Herschel: March 13, 1781

Titania & Oberon: William Herschel, January 11, 1787

Enceladus & Mimas: William Herschel, August 28, 1789 & September 17, 1789 respectively

Neptune: Johann Gottfried Galle & Urbain Le Verrier on September 23, 1846

Deimos & Phobos: Asaph Hall, August 12th & 18th 1877 respectively

Pluto: Clyde Tombaugh, February 18, 1930

First to reach space and return alive: A pair of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), February 20, 1947.

First orbital spaceflight: Laika (species: Canis familiaris), November 3, 1957

First human in space: Yuri Gagarin, April 12, 1961

First footfall on Moon: Neil Armstrong, July 20, 1969. Followed by Edwin Buzz Aldrin immediately after.

EDSM Link

Map Reference: LHS 200

K class main sequence star. For Odyssey players there is a good view from LHS 200 1 A on a ringed planet orbiting another ringed planet.

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

Map Reference: Thuban

Thuban, also known as Alpha Draconis is a binary star system in the Draco constellation. Thuban was Earth’s north star between 4th and 2nd millenium BC instead of Polaris.

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

Map Reference: NGC 1333 IRS 2

POI: NGC 1333 (Start point)

This system marks the start of the NGC 1333 cluster as a waypoint.

NGC 1333 is a reflection nebula located in the Perseus constellation and part of the Perseus Molecular Cloud

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

Map Reference: WMW2010 59

POI: NGC 1333 (End point)

This system marks the end of the NGC 1333 cluster as a waypoint.

NGC 1333 is a reflection nebula located in the Perseus constellation and part of the Perseus Molecular Cloud

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

Map Reference: HIP 3289

POI: LBN 629

LBN 623 Nebula, also known as IC63, is a dark purple emission nebula. It has also been called the Gamma Cassiopeiae nebula due to visual proximity of that bright star and the nebula as seen from old Earth.

SIMBAD Link

EDSM Link

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
  • EDSM 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
  • EDSM 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
  • EDSM Link
• 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
  • EDSM 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

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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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
  • EDSM 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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
  • EDSM 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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
  • EDSM 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
  • EDSM 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
  • EDSM 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)
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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
  • EDSM 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
  • EDSM Link

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
  • EDSM 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link

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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link

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

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*
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • EDSM Link

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
  • EDSM Link

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)
  • EDSM Link
• 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)
  • EDSM Link
• 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

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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• Map Reference: PSR J1852+0031
  • This is a pulsar discovered and studied by the Parkes Multibeam Pulsar Survey
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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
  • EDSM 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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!
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • EDSM Link

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):

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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link
• 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.
  • SIMBAD Link
  • EDSM Link