The Cassiopeia Project

[hiciacit]

Here's what I've got so far.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CWdIXMlz2rv2VQMVMrnZcAgog64V-0qZu0kqUinIwdo/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qjHsFnuMQXV8sv-tbi8birqPAs4Q58YkZGjL55k-yZ8/edit?usp=sharing

I ended up making a separate list for the remnant bodies I could find in-game and those I could not.

I wasn't able to spend much more time on it tonight, so I've only added a few more, mostly to the "Not Found In-Game" list.

Nice work! It doesn't bode well though for any sort of mystery being the main driver .

I'm going to bed, but tomorrow Ill work out how to get the Gal coordinates using the tools lorrad posted and add those to the lists.

There's another way to do it, which might be easier depending on what you want to do. I put some code above and turns out there is an easy way to run it in a browser. Here's a short guide:

1. Go here: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/execute_python_online.php
2. In the green box below, type:
   

   pip install --install-option="--prefix=/home/cg/root" pyephem

3. After you get a 'Successfully installed pyephem', paste this in the code window (remove the hello world thing). You can use the section below [PUT YOUR DATA HERE] in the code to fill in your own coordinates and convert from ED coordinates to our equatorial coordinates (right ascenscion and declination), or the other way around as shown in the examples (you can put multiple ones if you want).
   

   import sys, os
   sys.path.append(os.path.dirname(__file__) + "lib64/python2.7/site-packages")
   
   import ephem
   import math
   
   def eq2ed(ra,dec,r):        # Convert J2000 right ascension, declination, and distance (ly) to ED X,Y,Z
       eq = ephem.Equatorial(ra,dec)
       gal = ephem.Galactic(eq)
       x = r * math.cos(gal.lat) * -math.sin(gal.lon)
       y = r * math.sin(gal.lat)
       z = r * math.cos(gal.lat) * math.cos(gal.lon)
       print('x=%f y=%f z=%f' % (x,y,z))
   
   def ed2eq(x,y,z):        # Convert ED X,Y,Z to J2000 right ascension, declination, and distance (ly)
       r = math.sqrt(x*x+y*y+z*z)
       lat = math.asin(y/r)
       lon = math.atan2(-x,z)
       gal = ephem.Galactic(lon,lat)
       eq = ephem.Equatorial(gal)
       print('ra=%s dec=%s dist=%f' % (eq.ra,eq.dec,r))
   
   # [PUT YOUR DATA BELOW HERE]
       
   # Example: get Tycho's star coordinates in ED
   r = 8900    # suspected distance to sol in light years
   ra = '0:25:22'    # right ascenscion in hours:minutes:seconds
   dec = '64:09:0'    # declanation in degrees:degree_minutes:degree_seconds
   eq2ed(ra,dec,r)    # call the function to do the conversion
   
   # Example: get Sagittarius A* real world equatorial coordinates based on location in ED
   x = 25.21875
   y = -20.90625
   z = 25899.96875
   ed2eq(x,y,z)  # call the function to do the conversion

4. Press 'Excecute' and your converted coordinates will be in the green box below. Change you input data and just press execute again for more (no need to redo the firts steps).

 

[PaderIcon]

Don't forget the Discord server Would be cool to have a few more commanders there.

https://discord.gg/kfUwWme

 

[Jaiotu]

Here's what I've got so far.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CWdIXMlz2rv2VQMVMrnZcAgog64V-0qZu0kqUinIwdo/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qjHsFnuMQXV8sv-tbi8birqPAs4Q58YkZGjL55k-yZ8/edit?usp=sharing

I ended up making a separate list for the remnant bodies I could find in-game and those I could not.

I wasn't able to spend much more time on it tonight, so I've only added a few more, mostly to the "Not Found In-Game" list.

I'm relying on Simbad for my list of alternative identifiers. If I put a Star on the "not in-game" list it's either because I couldn't find a specific designation or catalog number for it,(IE it hasn't been discovered yet, or is so obscure as to elude my googling skills) or I entered every ID designation Simbad had into the Gal Map and came up empty handed.

I'm going to bed, but tomorrow Ill work out how to get the Gal coordinates using the tools lorrad posted and add those to the lists.

Great work! After the servers come back online for 2.2 I'll be doing a survey to see if anything has been added to the galaxy map.

 

[Cpt.Bilsn]

Information regarding the departure of Imperial element of Cas A expedition. (I sadly couldn't think of longer title)

After consultation with our esteemed expedition leader, it has been decided that Imperial element of expedition will be leaving from Prism system on 5th of November. It will be short, mainly ceremonial event (so clean up your flight suits in case some nobles saw us... Or at least wear pants) to allow us to get together before expedition starts.

Since we start somehow independently, we can set different time of departure to accommodate as much commanders as possible. Independent pilots are welcomed too in case they don't want to depart from Aliance space.

For commanders who want to participate in Imperial element's departure, please either post in forum or PM me so we know how many people would like to come (so I'm not organizing armed escort for just myself ). Also, if there is more people I can open temporary separate Chanel on discord.

Related to that, if someone knows about Imperial player group that would want to participate in providing security or just show there for RP reasons, let us know, I am somehow new in these things and do not have contacts with player groups.

Thanks for your time commanders. Good luck and right on!
This decree was issued and signed by:
Cpt.Bilsn, knight of the Empire and self proclaimed Imperial attaché.

P.S. Our esteemed colleague Commander PaderIcon has volunteered as discord server moderator, so he can too set you up as expedition members (or unleash his wrath on you if you misbehave ). I do not expect that big population on expedition server but we can maybe use another moderator from different time zone too, just so there is always someone around in case of a problem. I am gmt+1 not sure about esteemed PaderIcon (but he seems to be close my tz as well).

 

[Jaiotu]

... it has been decided that Imperial element of expedition will be leaving from Prism system on 5th of November. It will be short, mainly ceremonial event (so clean up your flight suits in case some nobles saw us... Or at least wear pants) to allow us to get together before expedition starts.

Right on, Commander!

We also have a new mission insignia:

 

[Jaiotu]

MISSION REPORT: 25 OCT 3302

In addition to our new insignia the Cassiopeia Project now has a mission video:

[video=youtube_share;Oz5htf-ntMc]https://youtu.be/Oz5htf-ntMc[/video]

 

[RatPhink]

Great work! After the servers come back online for 2.2 I'll be doing a survey to see if anything has been added to the galaxy map.

Is there a quick way to do this? Do you use some sort of scimmer to pull data from the game files?

I'm just using the in game gal map. It would be much nicer to just have a document with a list of all in game systems that I could search. The in game search engine can't look for partial hits within a systems name and I'm suspicious that FD added or changed some of the prefixes, or slightly changed catalog formats.

I know there is a whole section of the forum dedicated to third party tools and apps. I guess I should just stop being lazy, head over there and do some shopping.

 

[Jaiotu]

Is there a quick way to do this? Do you use some sort of scimmer to pull data from the game files?

I'm just using the in game gal map. It would be much nicer to just have a document with a list of all in game systems that I could search. The in game search engine can't look for partial hits within a systems name and I'm suspicious that FD added or changed some of the prefixes, or slightly changed catalog formats.

I know there is a whole section of the forum dedicated to third party tools and apps. I guess I should just stop being lazy, head over there and do some shopping.

No, I do not have any shortcuts. I'm doing the same thing you are just searching for the Galaxy map. It would be really nice if they supported searches with wildcards, LOL.

 

[Commander William Diffin]

MISSION REPORT: 25 OCT 3302

In addition to our new insignia the Cassiopeia Project now has a mission video:

https://youtu.be/Oz5htf-ntMc

Great work, that's one of the best videos I've seen.

I've now worked all the nonsense with SLF and 2.2 out of my system, have removed all of the Fighter Bays and combat equipment from my ship, and refitted her for deep space exploration. Count me in, I'm signed up, although I left the 'role' column blank. Are there any particular roles the Expedition requires?

 

[Jaiotu]

Great work, that's one of the best videos I've seen.

I've now worked all the nonsense with SLF and 2.2 out of my system, have removed all of the Fighter Bays and combat equipment from my ship, and refitted her for deep space exploration. Count me in, I'm signed up, although I left the 'role' column blank. Are there any particular roles the Expedition requires?

Hey thanks! I enjoyed making the video and hope to churn out plenty more during our expedition.

As far as Roles go ... this can be anything, really. Want to be the mission cartographer? Cool. Bartender? That's fine to. As far as needs? Fuel tanker would be good just in case somebody forgets to keep their tank topped off. We need photographers. Mathematicians too: we'll be calculating possible grid locations based off real world data. Researchers willing to read up on the real science behind Cas A and Tycho who can find ways to apply that knowledge to the search.

Welcome aboard!

 

[RatPhink]

Does anyone know if there exists somewhere a list of all of the catalog prefixes that are in use in the game and ones that are not. I started putting together my own, just to speed up my search, but was wondering if a complete one already existed.

Video and insignia are both amazing btw.

 

[Jaiotu]

Does anyone know if there exists somewhere a list of all of the catalog prefixes that are in use in the game and ones that are not. I started putting together my own, just to speed up my search, but was wondering if a complete one already existed.

Video and insignia are both amazing btw.

I don't have a list. I know the following:

CXO
PSR
2MASS
HD
HIP

We can also create a list of prefixes that AREN'T in game.

 

[Jaiotu]

Here's something interesting: The Vela Pulsar.

NGC 2736 (also known as the "Pencil Nebula") actually exists in game and is a supernova remnant. They took the time to render the nebula ... but left out the associated neutron star (PSR J0835-4510 or alternately PSR B0833-45). If you search the galaxy map for "Pencil" you'll find the nebula but, so far, I don't see any neutron stars close by.

 

[PaderIcon]

P.S. Our esteemed colleague Commander PaderIcon has volunteered as discord server moderator, so he can too set you up as expedition members (or unleash his wrath on you if you misbehave ). I do not expect that big population on expedition server but we can maybe use another moderator from different time zone too, just so there is always someone around in case of a problem. I am gmt+1 not sure about esteemed PaderIcon (but he seems to be close my tz as well).

Yep, I'm GMT +1 too. Would be cool to have somebody from another time zone. And I have problems with setting them to expedition member :/ Possible that I am the problem but I don't know[weird].

 

[Cpt.Bilsn]

Ok, issue should be corrected. I apologise to anyone who couldn't be set yesterday, just use the link to access server again and you should be able to be set.

It's that Discord role setting system it is somehow... well I don't want to say confusing but unwieldy at times. It doesn't help that my client insists on being half translated into my first language by default with the rest being English so the setting description sometimes trying to communicate different things in either language

 

[PaderIcon]

Ok, issue should be corrected. I apologise to anyone who couldn't be set yesterday, just use the link to access server again and you should be able to be set.

It's that Discord role setting system it is somehow... well I don't want to say confusing but unwieldy at times. It doesn't help that my client insists on being half translated into my first language by default with the rest being English so the setting description sometimes trying to communicate different things in either language

Problem solved [up]

 

[turkwinif]

Here's something interesting: The Vela Pulsar.

NGC 2736 (also known as the "Pencil Nebula") actually exists in game and is a supernova remnant. They took the time to render the nebula ... but left out the associated neutron star (PSR J0835-4510 or alternately PSR B0833-45). If you search the galaxy map for "Pencil" you'll find the nebula but, so far, I don't see any neutron stars close by.

That seems to be a reoccurring theme in several nebula for some reason. The Ring Nebula, while absolutely stunning and one-of-a-kind, does not have a star at its center, which should now be becoming a white dwarf. Another example, the Skull Nebula, have a central star (HIP 3678), but it's not in the nebula in-game. It's displaced by about 70ly Sol-ward.

At least the White Eyed Pea Nebula has a central star! /s

 

[Jaiotu]

MISSION UPDATE: 26 OCT 3302

After spending the day in Sol at Mars High, Professor Steven Eisler has been informed that his scheduled meeting with Karl Devene, head of the Federal Astrocartography Department, has been postponed until Friday. Hopefully that meeting will go well and Mars High Astrocartography will be releasing archived data files to help us narrow our search. We should expect some news following that meeting.

So far we have two locations for our launch event on the 5th of November: Chi Orionis in the Federation and Prism in the Empire. We still need an Alliance launch event, if possible. After the 'first launch' on the 5th we'll meet together in Maia on the 6th to officially begin our journey into the Cassiopeia constellation.

Keep flying!

Me? I'm still flying out toward Colonia following the new series of outposts that have been established along the way. Trying to make one last "jaunt to Jaques" before returning in time for the mission launch (with my fingers crossed that I'll return to the bubble ranked Elite in exploration. Just 12% to go!)

 

[RatPhink]

Here's something interesting: The Vela Pulsar.

NGC 2736 (also known as the "Pencil Nebula") actually exists in game and is a supernova remnant. They took the time to render the nebula ... but left out the associated neutron star (PSR J0835-4510 or alternately PSR B0833-45). If you search the galaxy map for "Pencil" you'll find the nebula but, so far, I don't see any neutron stars close by.

I spent a lot of time(well, 20 mins at least) looking for that pulsar. I'm convenced that there is something going on here. The crab pulsar exists in game. Why would FD hand place one and not the other. They both are about the same as far as fame/popularity amongst amature astronomers goes. And neither is as big a deal as Cas A.

My understanding so far is that FD only used catalogs with a high 3D location accuracy like the HIP. Then had the rest of the stars in the galaxy generated by a fairly sophisticated bot. This is why we get so many systems with designations that don't appear on any real world catalog. Most of these start with something like "Vela Dark region" or " Pleiades Sector".

But most of these SNR stars/black holes have fairly accurate listed locations. Besides, other famous objects that that we don't have precise locations for were simply hand placed using best guesses. Sagittarius A for example.

I am suspicious that some of our lost stars have been renamed with one of FDs invented catalog numbers. Making them impossible to find using the search feature in the gal map. this problem would be compounded for any systems that had companion stars( which quite a lot of them do ). In my experience The neutron star, or black hole in binary systems is rarely the primary star shown in the galaxy map. Meaning that the individual system would have to be selected, and it's details viewed, to be able to tell if it was a candidate for your target system.

 

[Jaiotu]

I spent a lot of time(well, 20 mins at least) looking for that pulsar. I'm convenced that there is something going on here. The crab pulsar exists in game. Why would FD hand place one and not the other. They both are about the same as far as fame/popularity amongst amature astronomers goes. And neither is as big a deal as Cas A.

Yeah. Kind of crazy. In my mind painting the nebula would be 'the hard part' and placing a fairly common neutron star would be easy. Its like they did the hard work creating the nebula and then just forgot to finish the job? That just doesn't make sense.