Distant Worlds 2 – Waypoint 2 – Omega Mining Operation (Asteroid Base) – Omega Sector VE-Q b5-15

Reporting from Omega Sector VE-Q b5-15 – Omega Mining Operation (Asteroid Base)
Distance from Sol – 5513.18lys
Distance to Beagle Point – 59950.8lys
Distance travelled – 8454.7lys
Jumps – 143

So with much aplomb and after the excitement of the DW2 launch the arduous journey to Beagle point has begun. I made the decision to take a slightly less direct route between POI’s and the scheduled way-points in the search of unexplored systems. This isn’t a science and fundamentally just means plotting around 500lys in a random direction from each way-point before I strike out for the next one. The methodology seems sound and has offered a number of firsts along the way.

On the way to WP2 there were a number of sites to see, Shapley 1 was first in the list and this leg was uneventful, I did stop just out side the Nebula for a picture but I was slightly over excited at the time and wanting to crack on so didn’t get the best angle.

The Fine Ring Nebula (also known as Shapley 1), is a planetary nebula with a unique ring structure. Unlike most planetary nebula, the Fine Ring Nebula is non-bipolar and torus-shaped with a distinct blue color. As most nebula of this type are caused by the expulsion of the outer layers of the host star, the shape may indicate that the Wolf-Rayet class host star had a particularly violent expulsion event at a period of high rotational velocity. Shapley 1 was the first waypoint system of the Distant Worlds 3302 expedition. Base Camp Designation : “Laika’s Rest” Star System : Fine Ring Sector JH-V C2-4 Planet/Moon : A 1 Base Camp Surface Coordinates : -19.15 / 85.02 Surface Gravity : 0.09

The next scenic stop was scheduled to be the view, I decided to pass this one up having visited before and finding myself with a rather expensive rebuy being a 3g+ landing. I have practised little in the art and I didn’t want to be tempted though some might say that give the closeness to the bubble it was an ideal time to have some practice but onward.

Next on the list was Cycladia this Earth like was just a gem, the inner rings orbit so fast they can been seen moving which was a treat.

Cycladia – Blu Thua GI-B b55-2 A visually spectacular earthlike world with a double ring system. The inner rings are orbiting so fast that it is visible to the naked eye.

So next on the POI list was Labirinto, on this leg I found my first truly virgin system and tucked away within was my first undiscovered Water World on getting close to scan the planet I realised that it was ringed and the view was not disappointing.

My First undiscovered Water World on DW2 – and what a cracker Smojue VN-K d8-6

I really didn’t know what to expect when I arrived at Labirinto, I wasn’t alone when I dropped into the system with some other Commanders cruising round the system. I flew in for a closer look and as the name translates this really was maze. The planet was covered in scars, valleys and mountain ranges. Felt it would have been a SRV nightmare so plotting in the next POI we blasted out the system.

Thor’s Eye was next, rather than a picture of the sun as I jumped into the system I decided on a different approach. Cautiously flying around the black hole in this system the shot of the suns can be seen through the black hole itself with the stars being bent out of position by the holes event horizon. It’s not the best shot but I think it framed this part of the galaxy nicely.

Not the greatest of pictures but looking back to Thor’s Eye through the Black hole.

We are now closing in on Waypoint 2 with just a couple of nebula left to see, first up was the Lagoon nebula, the picture doesn’t do this justice, with orange and greens it was a welcome sight I decided to bring down the systems just to take in the view.

Lagoon Nebula A distinctive green and orange nebula situated on the near rim of the Norma arm, approx. 4,500 LYs from Sol in the constellation Sagittarius. It is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the naked eye from mid-northern latitudes on Earth. Herschel 36 is the primary star of the Lagoon Nebula. This hot O-type star emanates ultraviolet light, heating and ionizing gases on the surface of the nebula. Due to its convenient location just on the other side of the Sagittarius-Gap, the Lagoon Nebula has been used as a waypoint for many explorers travelling towards the galactic core regions. It was first used as a basecamp on the Distant Worlds 3302 Expedition, then later for the Sagittarius-Carina Mission.

The next Nebula was a highlight for me and marked less than 10 jumps to WP2, the Moth Nebula lived up to its name and you can with albeit a little imagination see why it was name.

Cinnabar Moth Nebula – Traikaae KT-P d6-10

Last up was a supercluster of young stars, I cautiously plotted a route given the number of black holes, and neutron stars.

With that I have arrived at WP2 from where I am reporting, the expedition is stopping here for a week while materials are collected for a new station near the core, it would be my hope that it will be built in time for us to visit. So with that I sign out this log while waiting for WP3 to be published by the expedition management. To keep myself entertained I have had my mining Python flown in to assist in the rocky collection.

Fly safe commanders!

Cmdr Chuffa