Newcomer / Intro Scanning planets after entering orbit

[Moadeeb]

I've noticed that sometimes when traveling across a planet that my scanner turns blue and happens at certain altitudes (2KM)? Is this a type of scan? If yes, how does it work and what would I be looking for?

I tried searching the forum but all I seem to be getting are detailed surface scan posts and DSS posts.

 

[Ian Phillips]

Thats an indication that you are close to asurface POI. You need to find the centre of the blue circle to see what it is.

 

[Conde]

Hi, this is the Wiki which gives you more info http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Points_of_Interest

Another important aspect that's not mentioned is the POI blue circles are also used when SRV surface prospecting for Engineer materials such as Sulphur, Nickel, Iron and Phosphorous etc. or the much rarer Mercury or Polonium for example. An upgrade above Level 1 usually requires a particular mix of materials and sometimes data items (e.g. Modified Consumer Firmware). Pristine then Major reserves as shown in the planet/moon description will yield the most. This will also show a % breakdown of exactly what and how much of each material is available. Something with a very low % will still be there but will take longer to find unless you strike lucky. If that info is not shown then the body in question needs to be scanned with a detailed surface scanner. Generally the materials will be spread randomly across the blue areas, occasionally you will find them overlapping as well.

If you google it there are plenty of vids on what to do and look for when surface prospecting.

 

[FrogsFriend]

They only show above 1.5km altitude and are an indication of something (a Point Of Interest) on the surface, somewhere within the blue circle area. If you land towards the centre, deploy your SRV and circle around your ship you should notice a signal in the top-half of the wave-scanner. That should be the thing you're looking for, head that way.

They can be all sorts of things from crash sites or cargo stashes, to 'mysterious things' and meteorites full of useful minerals & materials.

Happy hunting and good luck

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

When looking for POIs set your scanner to longest possible range as this makes it much easier. Also you can search form them effectively in the SRV using the wave scanner, I find this more fun and with practice you can tell from the wave scanner what general type of POI it is so you can select what you want to visit.

 

[Moadeeb]

Ok Thanks. I thought that something would ping in the blue area. I would never have thought to just land and get into the SRV.

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

FD made the POI location intentionally vague from the ship as they were too easy at the start (in Beta IIRC) as you just jumped in your ship and flew to the centre, negating the need to use the SRV.

 

[Dommarraa]

They only show above 1.5km altitude and are an indication of something (a Point Of Interest) on the surface, somewhere within the blue circle area. If you land towards the centre, deploy your SRV and circle around your ship you should notice a signal in the top-half of the wave-scanner. That should be the thing you're looking for, head that way.

They can be all sorts of things from crash sites or cargo stashes, to 'mysterious things' and meteorites full of useful minerals & materials.

Happy hunting and good luck

Since when have Blue spots been anything usefull ?
Last time I used them, they only located pointless buildings/cargo/crash sites. Never anything useful (like mats) or interesting (barnies), all the good stuff was Mark I Eye Ball only.

[I understand Brain Trees appear as TINY blue dots, but thats the only change I heard of]

 

[CMDR MadRaptor]

Since when have Blue spots been anything usefull ?
Last time I used them, they only located pointless buildings/cargo/crash sites. Never anything useful (like mats) or interesting (barnies), all the good stuff was Mark I Eye Ball only.

[I understand Brain Trees appear as TINY blue dots, but thats the only change I heard of]

If you are searching for organics/geysers/fumaroles, then those tiny, tiny blue POI's, or ones that start big and shrink become your best friends. They will always lead to materials