Unknown Artefact (or artifact) Community Thread - The Canonn

[Dommarraa]

I can't see any way to get that into base-6.

However, it could certainly be base-12 (the mayan/aztec system is base-20 by using up to 4 lines, using 3 lines with a max of 3 dots would give 12).

If you grouped those into sets of 3 (giving 3 sets of 3) and then converted to decimal - AFAICT it would give one of these (top-down or bottom-up):
900, 471, 1055
1627, 471, 42
[that's assuming 4 dots=zero]

A set of 3 numbers, is something we can all slobber over.
900,471,1055 gets you near PRAEA EUQ GH-R C19-0 - Close but no cigar
1627, 471, 42 is in PLIO EURL IU-L B51-0 - Not really close to anything

Could you spot something in there that might not be a numeric bit, but be a +/- sign ?

 

[CMDR Corlas]

I thought this too, and is why I had the idea about what I posted last night, since that plague made me look at the other types of plagues in the past.

I half expect pert that the real answer to the UA mystery was fairly simple, and in the face of all this impressive level of speculation, research, and testing the devs are frantically scrambling to try to come up with a new solution that's equal to the effort you all have put into this.

The skeptic in me hears stories about the UA morseing out the nearest large body, and that stations do the same, and I don't think of a link, or wonder how it learned morse, but assume that one dev already wrote the code to have a station bleep morse (because, hey, cool space sound, and it's always new if it's just spurting out a text string that is already in game and unique to that system) and so then another one just reused that asset for the UA, because coders are lazy.

I love the speculations and conspiracy, but I can't help but wonder if you're getting smoke and mirrors for a bit because the devs realize you've all outdone them for now.

 

[Sigon]

900, 471, 1055
1627, 471, 42

Both locations are empty on the galaxy map. Nothing even close to them.
Besides, the coordinates also have the option to be negative, so the counting system you are using to derive numbers from the image should take that into account.
Also, we get back to the old problem, would the UA use human coordinated. Then again, with the use of morse, that is a possibility.

Edit: Ninja'd by Dommaarraa

 

[Murp]

Did I break my tinfoil hat?

Coordinates?

I found some coordinates in the audio that were right along the Reorte-Riedquat line a while back, the only issue was that my means of obtaining them were pretty far fetched.

 

[Derthek]

I half expect pert that the real answer to the UA mystery was fairly simple, and in the face of all this impressive level of speculation, research, and testing the devs are frantically scrambling to try to come up with a new solution that's equal to the effort you all have put into this.

The skeptic in me hears stories about the UA morseing out the nearest large body, and that stations do the same, and I don't think of a link, or wonder how it learned morse, but assume that one dev already wrote the code to have a station bleep morse (because, hey, cool space sound, and it's always new if it's just spurting out a text string that is already in game and unique to that system) and so then another one just reused that asset for the UA, because coders are lazy.

I love the speculations and conspiracy, but I can't help but wonder if you're getting smoke and mirrors for a bit because the devs realize you've all outdone them for now.

absolutely this, I'm calling their bluff

If you don't think devs lie watch the game trailers.

The UA is hype, a simple rehash of existing assets assembled into something new, that serves no real purpose

 

[Ihazevich]

So, an idea I had last night. The clue about the audio is the morse. What else gives the system/object/etc name in morse? A nav-beacon. I know it has been tried but, Thargoids navigate in deep space and the UA resembles a space probe of some sorts. The experiment would be dropping the UA in deep space (>2m ly) in SOL, and see if anyone can see it in the navigation panel while in supercruise. Maybe its far fetched but it is a simple solution (if it works).

P.S.: Maybe I got a case of space madness, in that case forgive me

Edit: engrish.

 

[VR Mr Teatime]

Going back to my theory earlier today here's a few tests that can be performed if there is a shortage:

Test 1. Can somebody with a UA rig their ship for a long jump range and listen to the UA and then rig their ship for a very short jump range and listen again from the same location? This is to test the "purrs are waypoints" theory and indicate (but maybe not absolutely confirm) that the purrs don't contain destination co-ordinates data.

Test 2. Can somebody with a UA record the UA whilst oriented towards it with the galactic core in the background i.e. "Ship---->UA---->Galactic Core" then from the same location move around to point the other way i.e. "Galactic Core---->Ship----->UA" then just to be sure align their ship and UA perpendicular to the galactic plane (can't draw that one but should be understandable). This will determine whether the UA's sounds alter dependent on the listening CMDR's orientation in space i.e. a direction/vector pointer.

Test 3. Record a UA in a system of the bearer's choice, then go to another system say closer to the galactic core and record again, then go to a system that is as close to a straight line further along the line between the previous two systems and record again. This test will show up any differences in the UA's sounds in relation to a location it is trying to steer us to i.e. VORTAC/TACAN navigation beacon style detector.

 

[Nicholas Powell]

The "I Can't Believe It's Not Biscuit Barrel!" Wing-Up bump-up
Tuesday 11th August - 1930hrs BST - Mobius - Timocani - Duration As It Happens

Maybe your wing can beat the current speed record of 90mins...

This is not another full-on Biscuit Barrel, per se. Another shall very likely be promoted soon. This is more of an ad-hoc wing-up camp-out since there's been little time to try and draw in as many commanders as possible. However, it will follow the general gist of Biscuit Barrel. If you're game, come on down. More the merrier, naturally.
I'm no authority. Autonomy is king. However, essentially as with Biscuit Barrel itself on Sunday, please ensure you are winging up with other commanders agreeing to either go all "My Precious" on the little cur, or "Here, kitty-kitty, I've a bag near a river for you..."
Assuming a success - Unless a willing former Bearer is preferred as recipient of the UA, I shall be happy to 'keep it parked' in my hold prior to passing on while a finalised expiration test and team are put together.

 

[Popov Le Magnifique]

Few SAP 8 container tests for your viewing pleasure. And listening as well, I can't do listening.

SAP8 containers - they don't seem to have any sound on their own. There is something in the background, but it's there without the containers too. https://youtu.be/GPEg1bz1ur4

Bob with 7 dwarfs, vol 1: https://youtu.be/KdrXQWzUkCg

And volume two, further away from the star: https://youtu.be/mtjZQINtkTo

Do you see more than the usual number of his legs greenish, or I'm seeing things now? Did I leave him too long in the hold and some moss started to grow.... oh ah uh, I know! Mossfoot!

How did I miss that post? Thank you very much! That's great news, it helps me in my experiment with purrs hiding interesting information.

 

[dumbo]

Both locations are empty on the galaxy map. Nothing even close to them.
Besides, the coordinates also have the option to be negative, so the counting system you are using to derive numbers from the image should take that into account.

Unfortunately, I don't think the Mayans did negative numbers .

Assuming the 'weird symbol' meant 'negative' rather than zero: 1627, 471, -42
Another interpretation might be 'minus 3' which would give: 1627, 471, -474

In theory you can convert numbers to greek and check against system names - but there's so many potential numbers that it seems crazy to me .

 

[Han_Zen]

This is literally the first time I've read anyone claim base-6.

Consensus seems to be on 12: 4 limbs for manipulation with 3 digits each.

They use base-6 or as it is described, hexagonal mathematics.

- - - Updated - - -

I can't see any way to get that into base-6.

However, it could certainly be base-12 (the mayan/aztec system is base-20 by using up to 4 lines, using 3 lines with a max of 3 dots would give 12).

If you grouped those into sets of 3 (giving 3 sets of 3) and then converted to decimal - AFAICT it would give one of these (top-down or bottom-up):
900, 471, 1055
1627, 471, 42
[that's assuming 4 dots=zero]

Maya stuff is base-20. It is just Thargoids that use hexagonal Math.

 

[simulacrae]

It is very cool! Love the Moby quote. One suggestion - you could add a sketch or small GIF of the evil-smile UA view that someone else just recently posted, which is also brilliant. (Or maybe Arc can add that to the first page or its OP to the wiki).

Oh, and the treasure map needs a link to the wiki too. ;-)

Thanks - ya there were a few more ideas I was going to add ,,, but in my haste at the end of the night to git her done .... oh well

 

[Rauminen]

Well, err, Bob's dead. At least we got a close-up footage out of it - all the let it expire crowd: tinfoil hats up.

Bob with 12 progen cells. Also a few shots of the "Mayan numbers": http://youtu.be/09vVrF_Rk1Q

Sad demise of Bob, accompanied by Heike tea, with some weird sound at the start (cargo hatch?) and more "Mayan number" shots: http://youtu.be/oewgkyopM1Q

I'm now reverted to Seeker.

Tests I still wanted to do today:
- 4 SAP 8, 4 Hafnium, 4 Trinkets of Hidden Fortune - in hold and out.
- 6 SAP and 6 Trinkets
- Double check if there's any obvious change in the galaxy map in-hold or out / with constellations activated or not
- Confirm that the green light on the "pods" changes with system - and if it does, how. In these videos I'm in Bast, the right second pod has a green light on it. In other vids I've seen it in a different position.
To clarify: Orient the UA in your head in a way you would place it on it's side on a flat surface. The "fin" in this case, looking up is the one set of pods which is aligned with the section of the head that is lighting up (has the "gills"). Then if you face it from behind - head is pointing forward in front of you - you have left and right set of pods.

 

[Ratking15]

After discussion with Sub Cmd Outspan she is happy to take on either editing the Wiki to keep track of the experiments or set up a shared spread sheet ?
Does anyone second this idea ? She loves to organise, works from home and can spare more time than most, (Although I expect my tea to be more Microwave than home cooked if she gets involved ) oh and I have just been informed tonight tea is going to be Chinese so we can get out UA hunting for 7:30 in Timocani !

Please do.......I find that so many small things I do in my tests need adding suddenly just because of suggestions saying this and that...........

So, an idea I had last night. The clue about the audio is the morse. What else gives the system/object/etc name in morse? A nav-beacon. I know it has been tried but, Thargoids navigate in deep space and the UA resembles a space probe of some sorts. The experiment would be dropping the UA in deep space (>2m ly) in SOL, and see if anyone can see it in the navigation panel while in supercruise. Maybe its far fetched but it is a simple solution (if it works).

P.S.: Maybe I got a case of space madness, in that case forgive me

Edit: engrish.

Do you know the definition of insanity? Doing something over and over again, expecting the same resualts, so why since it's already been suggested do you expect different resualts?


Also guys I'm going to be doing some things which'll keep me busy for the next few days.....so testing won't be possible for me......sorry Rizal......though I should be able to do the test before the end of the week....

- - - Updated - - -

Well, err, Bob's dead. At least we got a close-up footage out of it - all the let it expire crowd: tinfoil hats up.

Bob with 12 progen cells. Also a few shots of the "Mayan numbers": http://youtu.be/09vVrF_Rk1Q

Sad demise of Bob, accompanied by Heike tea, with some weird sound at the start (cargo hatch?) and more "Mayan number" shots: http://youtu.be/oewgkyopM1Q

I'm now reverted to Seeker.

Tests I still wanted to do today:
- 4 SAP 8, 4 Hafnium, 4 Trinkets of Hidden Fortune - in hold and out.
- 6 SAP and 6 Trinkets
- Double check if there's any obvious change in the galaxy map in-hold or out / with constellations activated or not
- Confirm that the green light on the "pods" changes with system - and if it does, how. In these videos I'm in Bast, the right second pod has a green light on it. In other vids I've seen it in a different position.
To clarify: Orient the UA in your head in a way you would place it on it's side on a flat surface. The "fin" in this case, looking up is the one set of pods which is aligned the section of the head that is lighting up (has the "gills"). Then if you face it from behind - head is pointing forward in front of you - you have left and right set of pods.

Uhh you just lost track of time and didn't have a timer so that's why Bob died?

 

[Kyp Shard]

To all you CMDR's getting tired and cranky: I feel your pain, my brothers in science. But please don't give up - it'll settle down again after the new influx get up to speed and read their way through it all (hint).

Often I feel myself getting drawn into a kind of "management" mode where I want to try to co-ordinate our efforts, but I resist as the anarchic nature of our community is so dear to me. So, gently as possible, I'd like to refer back to a couple of my own posts:

Seems to me that the UA doesn't interact with anything other than rot ships from the inside and transmit morse/make sounds. The hints, "have you listened to them?" and "not everyone will get it" suggest to me that it's the morse we should focus on (only morse literati will get it - i.e. not solve the puzzle, but recognise that there's morse)

Given the thought that we may already have glossed over the answer, I suggest we focus on ONE thing at a time, and for now that should be the morse.

The difficulty is that we're all theorising in a random way. I like that this is not hierarchical and there is scope and power in that randomness for us to gather a lot of ideas, which we have done. We've also organised ourselves and built the wiki. Somehow we need to take that massive ideas gathering and focus it, co-ordinate it. Again, I think we should narrow our enquiries and experiments to one at a time. Many minds on one thing, rinse and repeat. And I suggest the first thing be the sound, the morse (I know we've looked at this a lot and everyone has done fantastic work on it - maybe we've just missed something)

@ anyone else interested in possible encryption in the UA's sound

There's lots of purrs data here to try out your ideas on, and maybe something there will give you some other ideas too. I've spent some time on this too, but nothing of use so far.

My tuppence worth: I think it's worth trying Base 12 (UA has 12 thingamies and Thargoids supposedly use b12). Also, base 6 is worth trying (six legs=insectiod) because it would fit nicely with a 26 letter alphabet.

Questions that have been asked before and I think should be asked again, hypothesised and tested -

1.a. Why does it transmit morse? Morse is human; this does not look human.
b. Why does it transmit the human designated name of the nearest star?
c. Why is the morse weird? Why not ordinary morse? Because it’s alien and getting it a bit wrong? Something else?
d. What other signals are there? Are we missing any because they are not human and we don’t recognise them? Have we found them all but are failing to decode them? There are reams of raw data out there that haven’t been analysed conclusively. And, things have changed - we need new data.

2.a. Why does it explode? Not supposed to be in vacuum? Something else?
b. Why is the explosion glitches with that space rip? Don’t see these glitches elsewhere - are they glitches at all, or supposed to be that way? I know there was work that looked like the shape of the rip was a shadow of the object. Again, why? The footage of those glitches from different angles is interesting because it looks as though the rip happens some distance from the object, and on a certain angle to it. What if we placed a pilot there?
c, What is it ejecting when it explodes?

Remember: Kerrash said we were getting close quite some time ago. Whatever we were doing then needs revisiting.

Non-destructive experiment-wise: did we do this test?

Reproduce a mis-jump in an identical convoy of a T9 carrying a UA in a wing with 2 Anacondas.
Purpose: See if a mis-jump occurs either in the Anacondas or the T9
Expected outcome: A mis-jump

Destructive testwise, did we sell one at Newton Dock when the CG was on? (long shot, but not as long as other random/tenuously linked places)

Also on the destructive - did we do the test where when it pops we have a CMDR situated right where the thing ejects out of the head at the distance the space warp happens?

Ok, enough words from me for now, and my apologies if this has caused any of you (looking at you, bitstorm) to hang your heads and mutter.

 

[simulacrae]

That's genius it's gone straight on the front page.

Haha - Awesome, the grizzled corpse I pried the map from will be pleased

 

[Kyp Shard]

After discussion with Sub Cmd Outspan she is happy to take on either editing the Wiki to keep track of the experiments or set up a shared spread sheet ?
Does anyone second this idea ? She loves to organise, works from home and can spare more time than most, (Although I expect my tea to be more Microwave than home cooked if she gets involved ) oh and I have just been informed tonight tea is going to be Chinese so we can get out UA hunting for 7:30 in Timocani !

I think that's a marvellous - I'd prefer it not to be a spreadsheet though (allergic to 'em)

 

[RedWizzard]

This is true but when the FE2 and FFE lore was writen the galaxy was allready created.
I have not checked, but I think most other systems from the lore has been included manually in the ED galaxy.

Ayethi, is another lore connected procedurally generated system that is pressent in ED.

The FE2 Gazzetter is sort of a historical document. I think most of it is included in FFE.

http://www.dream-ware.co.uk/frontier/books/gazetteer/

Liaququ is part of the Gazetteer, the FE2 book and the FFE story line.

Now this is interesting. "Ayethi" is not a valid system name in FFE. The name was apparently incorrect in the journals, it should have been Ayethti [-3, -1]. So that implies that FD bought systems into ED from FFE based on the journals. Note that the Ayethi system in ED bears no resemblance to Ayethti in FFE except both have a Earth-like world named Topaz. So was Liaququ somehow missed, or...? Given that I've found several errors in the systems imported from real world catalogues, I wouldn't bet it was deliberately excluded.

Do you happen to have a list of all FFE system names in the lore or at least the journals? I'm not sure I feel like wading through all the journal entries. If not I'll check this list: http://www.frontierastro.co.uk/Gazetteer/intro.html

 

[Sigon]

Assuming the 'weird symbol' meant 'negative' rather than zero: 1627, 471, -42
Another interpretation might be 'minus 3' which would give: 1627, 471, -474

First location: nothing
Second: Close to: Plio Eurl IQ-F B27-0 (Aprox 1700 ly out from Timocani)

 

[Rauminen]

Uhh you just lost track of time and didn't have a timer so that's why Bob died?

Yeah, pretty much. I'm tired and got mesmerized by the pretty thing. I do feel bad about it, you can imagine.