New Exploration Module - EM spectrum analyser and visualisation module.

[Martin Schou]

The module would mostly give visual rewards rather than direct gameplay rewards.

My thinking is that the module would give you an extra option in the functions panel, allowing you to change the in-game visuals to reflect various EM bands, by which I mean the typical ones we see in astronomy pictures. Optical (standard), infra red, UV, X-ray, RF, microwave and gamma rays.

While this would mostly be a visual reward, it might also give different credit rewards for exploration.

 

[Martin Schou]

Just to add some extra info - here's a NASA page on why astronomers use different wavelength observations:

http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/why-nasa-scientists-observe-the-sun-in-different-wavelengths

And a picture from that page:

 

[Tath]

Currently when the ship I am flying traverses to the night-side of a planet, I am presented with impenetrable darkness where I cannot see the surface effectively. Having EM band vision modes, as you suggest might be one way to resolve this. Other game mechanics could be built around EM bands, such as:

- EM Bands for Science -- Look for rare particles and phenomena around stars, normally 'hidden' by the sun's brightness.
- EM Bands for Search & Rescue -- Look for low-heat signatures of ship hulks, floating escape pods and stranded astronauts.
- EM Bands for Espionage -- Look for (and photograph) secret installations on planets and asteroids.

I think the strength of your suggestion is that it allows a player to 'hunt down' strange phenomena -- a sense of accomplishment can be achieved -- by matching the vision mode to the problem, and any credit rewards thereafter are a bonus.

Edit -- Also, it could be presented in a real science manner, educating the player about the joys of seeing the greater universe beyond the limits of our own visible spectrum.

 

[Martin Schou]

Also, it could be presented in a real science manner, educating the player about the joys of seeing the greater universe beyond the limits of our own visible spectrum.

The idea of this module actually came about during a Discord discussion between myself and an astrophysicist who plays the game, and it was pretty much just based around the idea of being an educational tool rather than useful for gameplay.

Though once you mentioned the night-side of a planet, I realised that this type of module might be quite useful for mining as well. If you're mining the rings around a gas giant, it would likely be emitting a constant glow of radiation which would illuminate the boulders. To a certain extent I'd also expect that this would allow you to get a better idea of the potential content of a boulder - not to the extent you get with a prospector, but enough to group certain types of minerals and metals together visually.

 

[Martin Schou]

Additionally, there's also a site called Chromoscope, which gives another idea of what I'm suggesting in terms of visuals.