Guide / Tutorial Nutter’s explorers guide to the Galaxy

[drpaul]

You don't necessarily need a good Asp to explore. I've been doing a lot with a upgraded Cobra (2.5 mil in it). Even with only a 15-20Ly jump range there is a lot you can explore. Also I would buy power plants based on how good they handle heat. My cobra's PP doesn't give the most power but it handles heat the best. The Heat Sink Launcher module, is a good way to do an emergency heat dump if you get too close to a star for too long.

So a tip some folks may find helpful. I had worked myself up to a Cobra without trading but really wanted an Asp because I heard it was great for exploring. I found that by equipping my Cobra with some cargo space and spending a few hours focusing on trading rares, and doing some scans between the stations selling rares, I was able to earn enough fairly quickly to make the upgrade in ships and also not feel too much like a trader.

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

Interesting.
I am itching to go exploring (but then again I am itching to do more BH, and also to get to the Empire and rank up - basically I think I need some antihistamines!)
Any disadvantage to using a T6 for exploring?
I have both a well-kitted Cobra and a reasonable T6; only about 5M in the kitty so far so was going to grind maybe a little more then store the T6 (or sell) and blast off towards Achenar in the Cobra

I have pretty much the same as you and just kitted out a Hauler for exploring as I don't feel like turning either the Cobra or the Type-6 into an explorer, if it is any good then can keep the explorer ship stored until I get the itch again...tie to go and try it out

 

[Chris M Fortune]

So a few days ago, after a couple weeks of travel, I was just 600ly from Sag A*. I had been using a technique where I'd 'park' my Asp close enough to the star that it would deploy the fuel scoop but not so much that the temperature would creep up over 105% or so. I had to do this because I'd made the mistake of bringing a fuel scoop with a maximum rate of 170 or so. I parked, went to the galaxy map to plan my final route, which is very slow in the core, and when I came back out found my canopy cracked and down to five minutes oxygen. So I self destructed and went to bed.

I've now corrected my error and fitted a fuel scoop two sizes larger that maxes at about 600. Got rid of the cargo racks and got some repair modules. And I'm 6k from Sol and making my way back to try again.

I'm still not sure why I got roasted. My two theories are either there was a close rapidly orbiting binary I didn't see or perhaps I jostled my HOTAS and this nudged the ship to drift into the sun.

So my lessons learned are NEVER park and fuel scoop and focus your attention elsewhere. And get the largest fuel scoop you can. Now on the way back I can refill in seconds as I line up with my next jump target. I'm not going to scan systems until I get all the way there and then I'll start on the way back. The other advantage with a huge fuel scoop is that it should reduce the risk of interdictions on the way back in to sell the data since I can scoop without reducing speed. At least, I hope that reduces interdictions.

Love exploring. Wish we had a station at Sag A* and wish there were some additional discoveries one could make on scanning worlds (exotic life, archeological ruins, rare isotopes, etc).

This was in part my reasoning for using a huge scoop, I am on may way back now and the only time I slow down is if I hit a run of unscoopables. Ping while I scoop, line up on next jump, check galaxy map so I know what I am jumping at and jump. With the map on realistic view I also check for close binaries but have been lucky so far and not had to re-plan for them.

With regards to unique or unusual finds I would not be surprised if they were coming as part of the planetary landing DLC as there are still 2 placeholders in the exploration achievements there must be additional scanning types to come.

 

[NeilF]

there are still 2 placeholders in the exploration achievements there must be additional scanning types to come.

I can't believe FD would put in those two scanning values for a DLC that's a year or so off. Why not just hide them in the meantime. I can only suspect they are for something more imminent.

 

[Jackie Silver]

You know, I've never understood the need for mnemonic devices like this. A much simpler way to remember is "A - O, except for L". Think alphabetically and know the one and only exception.

The "real" mnemonic is "Oh, be a fine guy/girl, kiss me" - OBAFGKM - and it's in that particular order because that's the order the spectra go in, from hot (O) to cold (M.)
You can see them along the top of this here Hertzprung-Russell Diagram:

View attachment 16887

The reason it's in a peculiar order is because it wasn't known at first what the different star spectra represented - people recognised that there were different types and assigned letters to the different types, then realised that there was a meaning behind it and put them in that order.

 

[Karthik]

I went with Asp as I hated the T6 with a vengeance for trading, I didn't go for the core but just wandered around checking the Galaxy Map for odd stuff.

I would say it's probably a more important question, can you afford to fit out an Asp how you would want to? If not go with the T6.

The only thing I would say is fit the biggest baddest fuelscoop you can get as they carry no weight and save you a huge amount of ttime over the course of the trip.

So, I can outfit the asp... But I am not going to. In case it goes splat (which I'm sure it would... God so many interdictions) it's too expensive. Compared to the 100k my t6 costs. I would've even done a hauler or something... But not enough jump range.

 

[Chris M Fortune]

So, I can outfit the asp... But I am not going to. In case it goes splat (which I'm sure it would... God so many interdictions) it's too expensive. Compared to the 100k my t6 costs. I would've even done a hauler or something... But not enough jump range.

If you can master the scoop and jump it is fairly easy to go beyond the badlands intact although care needs to be taken and it requires continuous concentration whilst you are doing it.

 

[marcomads]

just curiosity: is there a more "printer-friendly" version of the stars/planets image on the first page, like with a white background instead of black.
It would be great to print and post it right to my screen during exploration sessions.

 

[CMDR_empyrean190]

I'm sure this must have come up already, but is there a scientific reason why there's a higher density of L, T and Y Class stars at a specific height of the galaxy than beneath and above that height?

 

[remosito]

just curiosity: is there a more "printer-friendly" version of the stars/planets image on the first page, like with a white background instead of black.
It would be great to print and post it right to my screen during exploration sessions.

I'd like that image made by Nutter inside my ship on that screen between me legs. Putting things on my IRL wall ain't much help when rifting ;-)

 

[Chris M Fortune]

I have cropped the image to show just the palantary stuff and used it as my wallpaper, second screen has found a use at last

 

[Varrag]

Has anyone found multiple star system in which stars aren't exactly the same age so far? I didn't.

I'm sure this must have come up already, but is there a scientific reason why there's a higher density of L, T and Y Class stars at a specific height of the galaxy than beneath and above that height?

This is probably related to fact that galactic gas clouds tend to congregate within the spiral arms. Higher the mass/density of these clouds, more massive stars are being born. Above or below the galactic plane (also between the spiral arms), stars on average become smaller and older.

 

[Jackie Silver]

We don't know the distribution of brown dwarfs (L,T,Y) in the galaxy very well. Mostly on account of them being brown and dwarfy and hence very hard to spot at any great distance... Varrag is right, though, and additionally the more massive a star is, the shorter time it lives, so you usually see big stars close to star formation regions, whereas smaller and more long-lived stars have a chance to move around.

 

[Nuruodo]

The "real" mnemonic is "Oh, be a fine guy/girl, kiss me" - OBAFGKM - and it's in that particular order because that's the order the spectra go in, from hot (O) to cold (M.)
You can see them along the top of this here Hertzprung-Russell Diagram:

View attachment 16887

The reason it's in a peculiar order is because it wasn't known at first what the different star spectra represented - people recognised that there were different types and assigned letters to the different types, then realised that there was a meaning behind it and put them in that order.

Oh yes, I understand the facts, it's just the mnemonic I take issue with. It's still a little convoluted to remember what is surely an Irish-born saying. And even then, all that matters in this instance is knowing which stars are scoopable. Knowing the specific temperature, luminosity, etc. isn't entirely relevant to that so long as you know the entire scale itself.

 

[SvennoJ]

I'm ready to set out again.
My Asp was getting a bit cramped and after a 25k ly tour I felt like an upgrade for my expedition to the far side of the galaxy. So I picked up my old trade route and started designing my ultimate explorer. The 21 million from my last expedition financed a T7, which turned into a T9, then Anaconda. A couple more days later I had the funds to put it all together.
View attachment 17081
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=306,H...S9Y8S3mD88I,53m0PK0PK0PK08c08c08c0bg7Q42jw2UI
39.00 ly to 40.73 ly jump range. It has the same fuel tank size as an Asp, yet uses 8t for a max jump, while an Asp uses 5t if I remember correctly. Only 4 jumps at max range on a full tank, but it should have a bigger range in economy mode. I put a B7 fuel scoop on it, fuel scooping takes no time at all (1068 kg/s), no need to get in very close to the star either. The fuel scoop alone costs 50% more than my exploration fitted Asp.
I sacrificed 0.40ly extra range for the convenience of a big scoop (needs an A3 instead of A2 power plant to manage the essentials), D3 shields to survive the hostile npcs while leaving and returning, and a mining laser to check out the composition of asteroid belts or cut my initials into rocks when I get bored.
I'm only using a 2D power distributor which removes the ability to boost. Boost doesn't really fit a ship this size anyway, good way to save weight.
.
It's definitely not as manoeuvrable as the Asp, feels more like driving the Enterprise instead of a fighter. The cockpit is very spacious, should help mitigate cabin fever.
View attachment 17088
The Asp beats the Anaconda in visibility hands down though. The view to the sides is minimal, no view below and only 30 degrees upward. Plus you're sitting at the back of the ship. It takes a few hours to get used to having most of the ship in front of you. First time I tried mining I kept knocking the chunks around with the nose, good for playing space soccer.
View attachment 17089
There is one good advantage over the Asp, unobstructed screenshots by tilting the camera up 30 degrees. With the Asp it was always tricky to get into position with the camera tilted 90 degrees, plus you still have the 2 bars in the way. I should be able to get some lovely shots with the Anaconda.

That's Lambda Andromedae from where I ran my test runs while contributing to the community goal. With all the tests completed, power strategies tested, module priorities set, afm's topped up, cargo hold filled with snacks, it's time to head for the great unknown. Final stats before take off:
View attachment 17091
I'm currently in orbit around Earth. On my way to find many more like you.
.
Thanks Nutter for getting me into exploration. Without this thread I would have set this game aside a long time ago.

 

[Varrag]

I believe most of you guys are already well aware of this, but I thought that it might come handy for people who are just starting their career in exploration and might be still struggling to pinpoint planets of interest. We all know it's a little bit difficult to find your way around in the beginning, especially in big solar systems containing dozens of planets.

Ok, let's get to the point. Planet icons in system view are generally very helpful, but in some cases can be misleading. E.g. that white sphere is not always an icy planet, sometimes it will be classified as HMC (high metal content) planet; or, what looks like another boring grey'ish icy planet may actually turn out to be a water world hidden behind the thick, non-transparent CO2 atmosphere.

So, when you scroll down the list in the nav tab and select unexplored objects one after another, watch the hologram left of the scanner. Besides the asteroid belts, stars, black holes and (majority of) gas giants - see the exception below- which are represented by their own unique symbols, there are two types of planetary holograms which, I think, will always accurately tell you what kind of planet you're aiming at.

These are metal-rich (100% metal) planets:

Spoiler

... and icy and rocky-ice planets:

Spoiler

Other holograms can also help but planets are often mixed up so, for example, gas giants, HMC and rocky/rocky-ice planets will often share the same graphical representation, as shown below:

Spoiler

Note that right now I am not absolutely sure if HMC hologram may also appear for some other planetary type. I am leaving that as is, for now. Please feel free to correct me if I got something wrong, or missed out something.

........
BTW - we REALLY need dedicated exploration sub-forum. How hard is it to do, FDEV...?
........

 

[carazvan]

Well I'm about 1/3rd of the way done analyzing all he data collected on the last exploration but I figured I'd share the datapoints I have so far for the value of different stellar bodies/planets.
I focused mainly on 2 aspects that are represented in 2 new sheets:

Terraformable Planets + Earth Like Worlds (+Ammonia& Water Worlds)
Black Holes & Neutron Stars

There's much more data for me to fill in but going through this is a slow process. I'm trying to add as much data as I can to see if there's a correlation between the location of the terraformable worlds and the star type/size/mass/class/temperature etc.
I'll update the excel spreadsheet when it's done but here's today's results:

http://www.mediafire.com/view/ivgbc2c5mjv5lrm/star_systems_v2.xlsx

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

I believe most of you guys are already well aware of this, but I thought that it might come handy for people who are just starting their career in exploration and might be still struggling to pinpoint planets of interest. We all know it's a little bit difficult to find your way around in the beginning, especially in big solar systems containing dozens of planets.

Ok, let's get to the point. Planet icons in system view are generally very helpful, but in some cases can be misleading. E.g. that white sphere is not always an icy planet, sometimes it will be classified as HMC (high metal content) planet; or, what looks like another boring grey'ish icy planet may actually turn out to be a water world hidden behind the thick, non-transparent CO2 atmosphere.

So, when you scroll down the list in the nav tab and select unexplored objects one after another, watch the hologram left of the scanner. Besides the asteroid belts, stars and black holes which are represented by their own unique symbols, there are two types of planetary holograms which, I think, will always accurately tell you what kind of planet you're aiming at.

These are metal-rich (100% metal) planets:

Spoiler

View attachment 17094

... and icy and rocky-ice planets:

Spoiler

View attachment 17095

Other holograms can also help but planets are often mixed up so, for example, gas giants, HMC and rocky/rocky-ice planets will often share the same graphical representation, as shown below:

Spoiler

View attachment 17096View attachment 17097View attachment 17098

Note that right now I am not absolutely sure if HMC hologram may also appear for some other planetary type. I am leaving that as it is, for now. Please feel free to correct me if I got something wrong, or missed out something.

........
BTW - we REALLY need dedicated exploration sub-forum. How hard is it to do FDEV, really...?
........

The 3rd spoiler left most hologram is also the one that's always used for Earth-Like, Ammonia and Water worlds (aka it must have that hologram to be one of those). When it's applied to gas giants it is to represent Class I, II and helium gas giants.

 

[SvennoJ]

Well that sucked.
Did they remove the black hole lensing effect? The first one I approach, going in slowly waiting for the lensing effect to start showing, no effect, suddenly heat suddenly rises and I get dropped out of super cruise. Now I'm stuck, 98% hull. After managing to escape I'm down to 78%. That was the shortest exploration trip so far, 250ly out and time to turn back already
I didn't have that problem with my Asp Explorer. I got too close to a black hole in an Asp once and escaped without any damage. Difference in black holes? A weakness of the Anaconda? Maybe I got off lucky before?
I made it back, 130k gained from exploration, 932k repair bill for the hull damage. Exploring in an Anaconda is expensive.

 

[Ulysses_W]

...
I made it back, 130k gained from exploration, 932k repair bill for the hull damage. Exploring in an Anaconda is expensive.

This is one of the reasons I explore in my Cobra. It's cheap to maintain and, if necessary replace. (That and the fact that I'd rather explore in a Land Rover than a Bentley.)

 

[CmdrPSB]

Well that sucked.
Did they remove the black hole lensing effect?

No but it seems to have been tweaked and toned down. Although here it's quite obvious, approaching a binary pair of black holes with total mass of about 20 solar: