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GMP Logo courtesy of Qohen Leth - Video by Obsidian Ant
Polygon article about the GMP. Charlie Hall (May 6th, 2019)
THE GALACTIC MAPPING PROJECT - IN ASSOCIATION WITH EDSM  |
INTRODUCTION & ENTRY STIPULATIONS
Introduction :
This project was born out of the very early days of deep space exploration, An Age of Pioneers, when the first explorers began traveling far beyond human borders and out to the furthest reaches of the galaxy. Along the way these early pioneers discovered many diverse and interesting points of interest, created maps, and logged data of what they found out there.
Apart from our local region, the galaxy is filled with procedurally generated name after procedurally generated name that don't really inspire the imagination or do justice to some of the wondrous sites out there.
During my journeys across the Vela Molecular Ridge and to the far side of the galaxy in the early days of Elite Dangerous exploration, I created a few names for the places I've seen along the way and labeled them on the various maps I made - mainly as it was easier to use my own labels when describing some place I'd seen rather than the unusually long and uninspiring procedural names the game generates.
I thought other players could do the same and provided they can prove they were there (via a video or screenshot) they get to name that location for the community mapping project maps... as long as they choose a sensible name of course. Its all unofficial obviously, until FD start labelling things themselves when more content is added.
As an example, when I crossed the gap between the Norma arm and outer galactic core I labelled that area on the map, the "Norma Arm Expanse", as its a large 2,500 LY low star density gap between the far fringe of the Norma arm and beginning of the 3kpc arm. Its very distinctive on the galactic map, but has no description. I also passed through a core region nebula that was packed full of young stars that I called the Greae Phio Stellar Forge (after the region its located in). The galactic outer rim was so devoid of stars, nothing but inky blackness outside my window, it was like staring into an abyss... so I labelled it the "Outer Rim Abyss" on the maps I made.
Link: 65,000 LYs away...
Link: Cached version of the original forum thread.
I made a start, and hoped other deep space explorers would add their own flavour to it. When you discover something interesting, a point of interest, or a feature that deserves a far better description than a procedurally generated string, you could add it to the map. We could gradually build up a galactic overview of lots of points of interest that explorers can add to their 'must visit' list'. A sort of almanac... explorers guide to the galaxy.
Erimus Kamzel - 19th Feb. 2015
Apart from our local region, the galaxy is filled with procedurally generated name after procedurally generated name that don't really inspire the imagination or do justice to some of the wondrous sites out there.
During my journeys across the Vela Molecular Ridge and to the far side of the galaxy in the early days of Elite Dangerous exploration, I created a few names for the places I've seen along the way and labeled them on the various maps I made - mainly as it was easier to use my own labels when describing some place I'd seen rather than the unusually long and uninspiring procedural names the game generates.
I thought other players could do the same and provided they can prove they were there (via a video or screenshot) they get to name that location for the community mapping project maps... as long as they choose a sensible name of course. Its all unofficial obviously, until FD start labelling things themselves when more content is added.
As an example, when I crossed the gap between the Norma arm and outer galactic core I labelled that area on the map, the "Norma Arm Expanse", as its a large 2,500 LY low star density gap between the far fringe of the Norma arm and beginning of the 3kpc arm. Its very distinctive on the galactic map, but has no description. I also passed through a core region nebula that was packed full of young stars that I called the Greae Phio Stellar Forge (after the region its located in). The galactic outer rim was so devoid of stars, nothing but inky blackness outside my window, it was like staring into an abyss... so I labelled it the "Outer Rim Abyss" on the maps I made.
Link: 65,000 LYs away...
Link: Cached version of the original forum thread.
I made a start, and hoped other deep space explorers would add their own flavour to it. When you discover something interesting, a point of interest, or a feature that deserves a far better description than a procedurally generated string, you could add it to the map. We could gradually build up a galactic overview of lots of points of interest that explorers can add to their 'must visit' list'. A sort of almanac... explorers guide to the galaxy.
Erimus Kamzel - 19th Feb. 2015
The guidelines are :
- Candidate entries should be something unique or rare. This can be anything from statistical record breakers or visually spectacular locations to places of historical interest or with interesting stories behind them. A good rule of thumb is this: “Would another explorer be willing to travel thousands of LYs to visit this place?”
- Your entry should be something you've visited personally. Please provide documentation of your visit in the form of screenshots or video. Any “glamour” image that you would like to see added to the map entry itself should preferably be resized to a with of 640 pixels.
- Only choose names that fit within the spirit of the game. Please no silly phrases or POIs named after your commander. For ideas you can check out the real life astronomical naming conventions, or choose something completely different if you prefer - as long as it is sensible and not like this.
- No renaming of real life places or FD named places. We are only replacing procedural names and not renaming catalogue stars like HD, HIP, etc.. However it is acceptable to submit an entry for a real-life astronomical object under its real name.
- All submissions should be considered as player created fiction only. If FD rename any in-game POIs for whatever reason, the GMP will follow suit and rename entries to whatever FD do.
- All submissions are treated in the chronological order they were submitted to this thread, regardless on whether the person submitting the entry has in-game 'tagged' it or not. Please bear in mind that the GMP team update entries and EDSM in their spare time so on the whole we will use this thread for the vast majority of entries. It is unpractical and too time-consuming to scour other threads for POI names explorers have made mention of.
- Older POIs usually stay on the map even if the game evolves to make them less rare finds. One example of this is Jumponium-Rich systems. These used to require a lot of effort to find and verify, but new scanning mechanics have made it much easier and they are no longer considered rare. But to honor the hard work originally put into locating these, we are not removing the ones already on the map.
Most prominent POIs:
- Historical Location - a place of particular interest in the history of exploration. Examples include extreme deep space meetings of explorers or the very first visits to very remote areas.
- Mystery POI - locations tied to mystery and lore, like abandoned settlements, derelict generation ships or alien civilizations.
- Deep Space Outpost - any starport outside the inhabited bubble.
- Restricted Sectors - locked areas inaccessible to FSD travel.
- Jumponium-Rich System - a system particularly rich in materials used for FSD synthesis. (NOTE: The GMP no longer accepts submissions of these).
- Star Cluster - any stellar cluster present in the game.
- Nebula - any (non-planetary) nebula present in the game.
- Regional Feature - any other remarkable phenomenon that covers more than a single star system.
- Planetary Nebula - most planetary nebula qualify for inclusion. PNs in the galactic core needs some other distinguishing features in order to be included (since there are so many).
- Pulsar - any system described as a pulsar or known to be a real world pulsar.
- Black Hole - remarkable black hole or combination of black holes.
- Stellar Features - remarkable star or combination of stars. Including remarkable stellar rings, Lagrange clouds and anomalies (see special note below).
- Planetary Features - remarkable planet or system composition. Including remarkable planetary rings.
- Topographical Features - remarkable surface features like canyons or mountains.
- Organic POI - remarkable organic finds in remarkable locations (see special note below).
- Geological POI - remarkable geological finds in remarkable locations (see special note below).
- Other POI - these are basically everything else, in addition they also include 'downgraded' POIs - that is POIs that were once considered interesting but with the introduction of new content, graphical updates, more variety, and more interesting discoveries, they have somewhat lost the appeal they once held.
There are probably thousands upon thousands of Codex POIs out there and for the map we only want those few that truly stand out. Before you submit a Codex POI to the mapping project, remember the golden rule: “Would another explorer be willing to travel thousands of LYs to visit this place?”. Examples of stuff we WOULD be interested in could be highly unusual combinations like a Lagrange cloud with space lightning near a ringed ELW, or a system where nearly every type of anomaly can be found, or a planet with an extremely high number of biological POIs, etc.
Important! Submitting Points of Interest:
Please use the following convention when submitting an entry (and in this order)..
| Name: | (Name of your entry after checking the naming stipulations mentioned above) |
| Game map search ref: | (Provide the exact procedural name of the POI you discovered - if its a nebula choose a system within the nebula to act as its reference location) |
| Description: | (Write a short description of what you found) |
| Screenshot reference: | (Provide the post # or link of where your screenshot or video of your POI can be found - it is a big help if you provide the image resized or cropped to a with of 640 pixels. If this is not possible for you just submit the image anyways and we will do it for you. But it does save us a lot of time if you have done it yourself) |
THE MAPPING TEAM & MAPPING PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS
| Project Founder & Custodian (February 19th 2015 - Present) Original region and POI data collation and entry. Original 2d Map creation, regional labeling and text descriptions. Regional border defining and mapping. Localized mapping & POI data entry. |
| Custodian (21st May 2016 - Present) High-def map production. Regional border defining and mapping. Localized mapping & POI data entry. EDSM regional screenshot incorporation. |
| Custodian (21st May 2016 - Present) EDSM programming and galactic map incorporation. Regional polygon creation in EDSM for the borders defined by Erimus Kamzel & Corbin Moran. |
| Custodian (21st May 2016 - Present) EDDiscovery programming and galactic map incorporation. High-def map production. |
| Custodian (21st May 2016 - Present) Localized mapping & POI data entry. |
| Custodian (26th September 2016 - Present) Localized mapping & POI data entry. |
| Custodian (24th May 2017 - Present) Localized mapping & POI data entry. |
| Custodian (27th February 2018 - Present) Localized mapping & POI data entry. |
A
AbsolutePK, Absolver, A. C. Dobro VI, Adeezha, Admiral Spoon, Agony_Aunt, Aiki_Zvezda, Akira Masakari, Alac, Alec Turner, Alesia , Alex Traut, AlexBrentnall, Alistair Hope, Alkibiades, Allitnil, AlkholHardin, Ancient King, Andete, Andrew Gaspurr, Andrew Marcus, AndyBoom, AndyMJ, AnthorNet, Anuranium, Axonteer, ArachAu, Archaicjinn, Archvillain, Argon, Artemis quinn, Asayanami, Asdon, Astirian, Aterfax, Athrael Emathors, Arkkan, Áurum
B
Bafaut, Bakerloo, Barefoot Bandit, Baroness Galaxy, BastiWandeR, Bathuzad, Baton, Baxder, Becquerel, Bendurion, Bigmaec, BigZiggyHD, Billy Chase, BL1P, BlackMirror, Bluebottle, Bjorna, bobrodobro, BradHann, Bravada Cadelanne, Byped
C
Captain Redeye, Chankk Saotome, Chessi, Chob, Chronverge, Chrystoph, Ciel Noir, CMDR DasExorcist, CMDR_Fru, CMDRGURU951, CMDR Legomayhem, CMDR Pitou, Cmdr ST4R F0X, Coldglider, Commander Alesia, Conal Cuan, Corbin Moran, Coryphaeus, Coslnay, Coyote, Crassus, Crel00, Cula-Ta
D
Daemon Black, Dakeyras, Dalgin, Dandak, Dante Chusuk, dape, Darker than Black, David Bowman, Deadfight, Deathbane, Derthek, DeVice Null, Dobbo, Dinochrome, Diostar50, DocteurGui, Domaq, Dominic Hyde, Dommarraa, Dpjon, Draco, Draco84oz, Drake McCoy, Dr.Digital, Dread-Fox, Drew Wagar, drkaii, DrNoesis, Drownerfood, DVHeld
E
Eahlstan, Edamski, EddyRockSteady, Edelgard von Rhein, edgar, edgepixel, Edmund Black, Eisen, EfilOne, El-Thorgrin, empyrean190, EoD, Erimus, Esvandiary, EtherealCereal, Evil Ed, Evoflash, excalibus
F
Falconfly, Ferris, Finwen, FloatingGhost, floc, Flyinspaghetti, foobaron76, Frang, Frankymole, Frawd Digger, Fuchsov, Fuci, FurioMan, Fyrzo, FilmExile
G
Galaban, Gastone, Gazatronic, Gerakis, GerUA, Gibbonici, Gombari Noah, graafje, Grebenkov, GregMalcolm, Greytest, Griffin, Guy De Lombard, GuyWithoutAPie
H
Hanekura Shizuka, HansMeiser, Han Zulu, Harper Lewis, Hawkflight, Hathor86, HazardousMatt, Heavy Johnson, Henkka77, HEIFEHEN, Herzbube, Highwaywarrior, Histarium, Holint
I
iain666, Ian Dane, ibanix, IDragox, Idronan, IncoherentOrange, iospace, Iridium Nova, Iron Body, Iron Orchid, ishmair, italktowalls, Itznya Akkadia
J
Jackie Silver, Jak, Jaredd, Jason Thorpe, Jeff God of Biscuits, jenos, Jerek, Jermus, Jimbo Lazy, JKB, Joghiarius, Jonas Treesong, JonathanBurnage, Jorki Rasalas, jusaari11
K
Kalie Lennox, Kancro Vantas, Karaya1, Karla, kastia, Katejina, Kazahnn Drahnn, kccummings3, Kelanen Alcatraz, Kennzo, Kensei, Kerenn, khaos526, Kieffer, killosopher, Kiultoll, Kola2, KOLUMBUS, Konnivar, Kr1spy, Kray, Krikemaric, Kurama 1100, KvaNTy, Ky Vatta
L
Lance 'Spacecat' D, Lapsang Twobob, Largo Ormand, Leifur Eiriksson, Leif_Erikson, Lhynn, LivewareCascade, LordFedora, LtOBrien, Lucco, Lurker, Lyneira, Lyrae Cursorius
M
MacrosTheBlack, Mad Billy, Mad-Max, Madraptor, Malcotch, malenfant, Mai404, Maia Posideina, Major Klutz, Manae, Maro-Val, marx, Markzx59, Marlon Blake, Martín Afonso, Matt Kowalsky, MatYNWA, McBeathan, Mehdic, Mengy, Michael Darkmoor, mienamoo, Mikayé, Mike 'Ziggy' Lucas, Mist0, Mithrasyn, Mindwipe, mjmw, MNarath, Molan Ryke, Montague Druitt, Mooing, Moonrays, moose1036, mossfoot, mtt9999, MudAlfons, Murishani, Murf, Myshka
N
NCC71201, Neil Trayce, Nexolek, NicoOlvia, Nik Fury, Nightstrider, Nijelu, Nstor, Nolanus Raven, Numida
O
Odengard, OhPif, Okopok, Olfart, Olivia Vespera, Orphius, Osser, Orvidius, Over, overlow, Ozric
P
Palkkipantteri, Panpiper, Pate, PGleesonuk, Phers, Picker, Pilot Mark, Pilot Pirx, Pinda Gupta, Pirin, Piso deUorrior, Pitsligo, Pnyx, Poseidal, Psypher, Psynergy
Q
Qohen Leth, QuixoticKoala
R
rampart, Ranaulf, Reise Lang, Rise Kraven, roboteconomist, Rocangus, RolloTreadway, Roqinn, roryclague, Rudi Raumkraut, Robert Macleod, Rogue Roxy
S
Saii, SanCo, Saool, Sapyx, Satsuma, Scal, Sclams, Scytale, Seamus Harper, Sepster, Setaou, shadmar, Sharkbiscuit, Shanaeri, Shiftycircle, shreddog, shx, Silvershadow, silversheen, Simon Darkstep, SirKiwi, SKafre, Sky Captain, sleoj, Souvarine, SpaceMonkeyz, Squid509, Star_Crusider, Starlanced, Starry, Steyla, Stivl Writh, Straha Yeagar, strapkass, Stulli, Sunny v. Isegrim , Surly_Badger, Svenno, Swift Arrow, Steven Bingham
T
tachyondecay, Taen, Terrabla'e, Thalkran, Tharrn, Thatchinho, The Doc, thestyx, TheTick, Thewanderer, ThorCoolguy, thundernuns, Thrawn29, Threeofseven, tired_man, Tom X, Traveler, Traveller_GG, Trevor Goodchild, Tromador, Troopi, Tubby, Tumama, Turjan, turkwinif, TwoFingers, Tychu9, Tyy’sun Eson
U
Ultimus, UrbanOrange
V
Varonica, Vasious, vetal_l, Viva la Ben, Vovva The Bluehaired
W
Waylander Sagan, Weylandt, Wheelybob, Whiterose, Whitmann, Winna, winston, who?, Whoamus, Woodenhorsė
X
Xandermud, Xenia_K, XFightingFalconX, Xhaler, Xin-Ai, xNathRulez22, Xydhroz
Y
Yanick
Z
Zaph Nova, Zenika, Zenith Ddraiglas, Zer0axis, Ziggy Stardust, Zil Zalo, Zinnsei, Zion Ravescene, Zulu Romeo
#
59thLefty
Special thanks to the Rock Rats, CoR, Canonn, and FGE.
If you have contributed but are not on the list, please send a PM to Erimus Kamzel with a link to the forum post where you made a POI submission, or otherwise made a contribution to the GMP.
Follow the GMP on Twitter
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- Stellar POI
- Cometary Body (turned off until needed)
