What does the cross (X) mean on the system map?

[CMDR Mike Finn]

Usually when you look at the system map, you see planets with lines connecting them to the star they're orbiting. Sometimes, I see planets connected to an X. What does this X mean? I originally thought there must be a star there (inferred from the planet's orbit, maybe) but I haven't discovered it yet. But now I have an Advanced Discovery Scanner, and it's still happening.

(As an aside, sometimes the ADS will show "30 new objects discovered" and when you look at the system map, there are nowhere near 30 objects on it. What gives? And could it be related?)

 

[Sysmon]

The X means the body orbits several "parent" bodies, such as a planet orbiting a binary star couple. The X is then a point between the two (or more) bodies the planet/star/whatever orbits.

The large numbers discovered are often due to discovering a large number of asteroid belt "zones". In the systems map, these will show as a single belt. But there will be several instances mapped that you can visit. Hence the discrepancy.

S

 

[sde]

The "X" means that the planet is orbiting a pair of stars. For example, if it's orbiting "Foo A" and "Foo B" then it'll probably be called "Foo AB 1" when you scan it.

The objects you can't see are asteroid clusters. Have a look at the navigation panel — you should be able to see the appropriate number of objects there.

 

[prophet1]

It means the planets are orbiting more than a single object, and X marks the spot in between those objects on the system map. Usually it's a duo of stars which are in turn orbiting each other. So star A orbits star B and these planets are orbiting around those 2 stars.

The number of objects discovered message can be higher than what's visible from the system map because it can include individual asteroid field fragments - single asteroid field from the system map may be split up into several Asteroid Belt Cluster X objects.

edit: Ninja'd twice.

 

[CMDR Mike Finn]

Cool! Thanks guys!

 

[Dystopiana]

if you want the technical terms...the x I believe is marking out a Barycenter. Which is basically the center of mass (and thus gravity....more or less) for a system of bodies.