As discussed further in this thread, I have come up with a proposed route that is nothing like the Distant Worlds Expedition. I have included the information below as it was posted later in another post. I have also removed the DWE Tour information.
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NOTE: LAUNCH DATE HAS BEEN SET AS AUGUST 13th!SEE THIS POST FOR MORE INFO ON THE KICKOFF TIMES AND DETAILS!Although I am still working on the itinerary, I wanted to present my idea with a current list.
I am calling this the
Zoological Nebula Tour.
Here are the Details.
► Show Spoiler
This tour will include stops in Nebulae named for animals. I have broken it into 3 stages.
Stage 1 Short Run
The Zoological run starts At Noshaq in the Azrael system and then crossing the bubble and heading to our first Nebula:
The Pelican Nebula. The pelican is on the edge of the North American Nebula and should provide some great sites.
Our second stop is close by at the Elephants Trunk which is our target. It is not that far of a run from here to our Third destination.
The Cocoon Nebula is a small nebula, but not the smallest on our tour.
Stage 2 Medium Run
From here, we are heading back past populated space towards Barnards Loop, where we will find the Horsehead Nebula. It is in striking distance of Barnards Loop, The Flame Nebula, Orion and Running man to name but a few.
As we pass by the heart of Human space, it might be good time to nip in and get repairs if you need them, or even take a break. And for some, this may be where they decide the tour guides are nutters and your best option is to get back to people.
We then move on to the Butterfly Nebula. From here, we head out past Thor's helmet to the Seagull Nebula.
Optional Side Trip: We now have an opportunity for those intrepid explorers. From the Seagull Nebula, you can make a turn a head to the Jellyfish, Monkey Head, and on to the Crab Nebula before tuning back and racing back towards the bubble to hit the Next stop.
We are now Headed to The Chamaeleon Nebula which is only about 5-600 ly outside the bubble.
For some, this may mark the end of the road as you may feel the space madness setting in. You are close and can make it back to civilization quickly if you feel you can't go on, or you need to head back in for repairs or for some R & R.
But for the others, we have a couple more spots for you to set your sights on.
Stage 3 Long Run
Its time to move on to the Red Spider nebula before setting your target on the the Bug Nebula. You're almost there, just two more stops, one is close by.
The Cat's Paw nebula is fair sized. I also suggest the Lagoon Nebula (optional) as a little side trip for those explorers that want to see the Zoology tours Natural Habitat.
Then the final stop, the Eagle Nebula that packs hidden Jewels in its depths. I will leave you to look closer and decide if the prize is worth the distance.
For those of you that make it this far, now is the hardest part. Making your way home. There are so many possibilities here, so many other places to visit, but the choice here is yours. Do you head back quickly? Or do you continue to wander? Sag A is not THAT far considering how far you have come. The choice and madness is up to you.
And here is a more direct list of the destinations
(Work In Progress for Coordinates and the target System).
► Show Spoiler
Stage 1 Short Run
Noshaq (Near Searle Point) (Azrael)
Pelican Nebula (-1880:5:180) (North American Sector TZ-0 B6-4)
Elephant's Trunk (-2660:180:-430) (GM CEPHEI)
Cocoon Nebula (-3170:-309:-240) (COCOON SECTOR EL-Y D19)
Stage 2 Medium Run
Horsehead Nebula (650;-425:-1280) (HORSEHEAD DARK REGION IR-V C2-10)
Seagull (2660:-160:2710 (BD-10 1848)
Jellyfish (790:254:-4930) (JELLYFISH SECTOR QD-S B4-1) Optional
Monkey Head (1140:44:-6300) (MONKEY HEAD SECTOR DL-Y D6) Optional
Crab Nebula (550:-712:-6940) (CRAB SECTOR DL-Y D11) Optional
Chamaeleon Nebula (490:-158:310) (CHAMAELEON SECTOR IR-W D1-93)
Stage 3 Long Run
Red Spider (-530:40:2950) (RED SPIDER SECTOR UJ-Q B5-0)
Bug Nebula (620:65:3350) (CD-36 11341)
Cat's Paw Nebula (850:55:440) (CAT'S PAW SECTOR CL-Y E37)
Eagle Nebula (-2040:101:6690) (Eagle Sector PD-S B4-9)
I would love some feedback on the proposed route, and the stages. I will be adding map coordinates for all the stops as well as a Target System to aim for in each Nebula.
For those that don't know about the coordinates:
► Show Spoiler
If you open the system map and look at Sol, it is at 0:0:0
Align yourself so that you are looking at Sol with the centre of the galaxy ahead of you.
The first number will move you from Left (negative numbers) to Right (positive Numbers).
The second number is vertical. Negative Below, Positive Above.
The third is forward and back. Positive towards the centre, negative away from Sol.
For example, looking at Sol, coordinates of -100:75:200 would be 100ly left of Sol (negative), 75ly above Sol, and 200ly ahead of sol towards the centre.
Works as an overlay on top of ED.
