Galaxy: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Terrestrial planet brown dwarf.png|thumb|250px|Terrestrial planet and a brown dwarf]] | [[File:Terrestrial planet brown dwarf.png|thumb|250px|Terrestrial planet and a brown dwarf]] | ||
* The vast 1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy is based on real scientific principles, scientific data, star catalogues and theories. It is created using a mix of procedural generation and artist direction. It has realistic astrophysics and scale. | * The vast 1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy is based on real scientific principles, scientific data, star catalogues and theories. It is created using a mix of procedural generation and artist direction. It has realistic astrophysics and scale. | ||
* Around 400 billion [[Star Systems|star systems]] according to current scientific theories of star system formation with planets and moons that orbit and rotate.<ref>www.elitedangerous.com</ref><ref>https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/4/7333709/elite-dangerous-milky-way-stellar-forge-human-cruelty</ref> It includes well known systems like [[Sol]] and [[Alpha Centauri]]. Some systems have multiple [[stars]]. | * Around 400 billion [[Star Systems|star systems]] according to current scientific theories of star system formation with planets and moons that orbit and rotate.<ref>www.elitedangerous.com</ref><ref>[https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/4/7333709/elite-dangerous-milky-way-stellar-forge-human-cruelty Polygon: Elite: Dangerous explores the limitless depths of space, and of human cruelty]</ref> It includes well known systems like [[Sol]] and [[Alpha Centauri]]. Some systems have multiple [[stars]]. | ||
* Groundbreaking in that it is based on a lot of hard science with all sorts of star surveys that are fixed and merged to for the first time in gaming history compose a very consistent model of the Milky Way galaxy and it is rich enough to plot the night sky.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOYhoFYIWmw</ref> | * Groundbreaking in that it is based on a lot of hard science with all sorts of star surveys that are fixed and merged to for the first time in gaming history compose a very consistent model of the Milky Way galaxy and it is rich enough to plot the night sky.<ref name=":2">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOYhoFYIWmw YouTube: My other car's a Cobra MKIII - Nordic Game 2014]</ref> | ||
* [http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of/c7qbhd8 Cosmic phenomena], all different kinds of [[stars]], [[Star Systems|star systems]], [[Black Holes|black holes]], detailed [[planets]], [[moons]], [[mountains]], [[canyons]], [[craters]], [[Planetary Ring Systems|planetary ring systems]], [[Star Rise|star rise]] etc. | * [http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of/c7qbhd8 Cosmic phenomena], all different kinds of [[stars]], [[Star Systems|star systems]], [[Black Holes|black holes]], detailed [[planets]], [[moons]], [[mountains]], [[canyons]], [[craters]], [[Planetary Ring Systems|planetary ring systems]], [[Star Rise|star rise]] etc. | ||
* Specially handcrafted overrides for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbPSjOSXpw4&t=165 160,000 known stars in the night sky] and planetary objects that we know and love. For example, our solar system [[Sol]] with [[Earth]], the [[Sol/Moon|Moon]] and [[Mars]]. There are systems with recently discovered planets such as [[Trappist-1]]. | * Specially handcrafted overrides for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbPSjOSXpw4&t=165 160,000 known stars in the night sky] and planetary objects that we know and love. For example, our solar system [[Sol]] with [[Earth]], the [[Sol/Moon|Moon]] and [[Mars]]. There are systems with recently discovered planets such as [[Trappist-1]]. | ||
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''Elite Dangerous'' is groundbreaking in that the structure of its galaxy is based on hard science. Numerous star surveys were used to plot real stars in the night sky and help compose a consist model of the Milky Way. | ''Elite Dangerous'' is groundbreaking in that the structure of its galaxy is based on hard science. Numerous star surveys were used to plot real stars in the night sky and help compose a consist model of the Milky Way. | ||
During a keynote presentation at Nordic Game 2014 [[David Braben]] said, ''"We've taken a lot of hard science to compose the galaxy so everybody that's in all sorts of star surveys we've merged with fixed errors in the star surveys and so in one place, possibly for the first time we've got a very consistent model of the galaxy and it's rich enough that we can plot the night sky. But when we plotted the night sky as viewed from Earth it's really bright and it actually doesn't look right. So what we've then done is we've tuned the dust so that it actually matches the night sky when viewed from [[Earth]]. What's interesting is there is way more dust than most scientific theories say there should be. But we can tell by just wandering outside on a clear day and looking know that's what it should be so we are actually looking at that from sort of first principles. There really is a lot of dust, but the great thing from a game point of view is it actually makes the night sky very interesting. So you don't need to fly very far in game terms from Earth for the night sky to change quite dramatically. So for those who've played it we've actually put in most of the earth centric constellations in the sky, but when you travel a little away they all distort, but more important we are bang in the middle of this dust. So your night sky is quite dark, but if you go say a hundred light years directly out of the galactic plane it’s a bit like poking up. When you're on a plane taking off from an airport, you get that amazing view when you come out of the clouds looking out of the window and you suddenly see right across. That's what it's like and some of the systems, [[Achenar]] for example is the center of the Empire and a giant system which is actually out of the galactic plane so you can see across to the galaxy just a little bit it's just wonderful."<ref | During a keynote presentation at Nordic Game 2014 [[David Braben]] said, ''"We've taken a lot of hard science to compose the galaxy so everybody that's in all sorts of star surveys we've merged with fixed errors in the star surveys and so in one place, possibly for the first time we've got a very consistent model of the galaxy and it's rich enough that we can plot the night sky. But when we plotted the night sky as viewed from Earth it's really bright and it actually doesn't look right. So what we've then done is we've tuned the dust so that it actually matches the night sky when viewed from [[Earth]]. What's interesting is there is way more dust than most scientific theories say there should be. But we can tell by just wandering outside on a clear day and looking know that's what it should be so we are actually looking at that from sort of first principles. There really is a lot of dust, but the great thing from a game point of view is it actually makes the night sky very interesting. So you don't need to fly very far in game terms from Earth for the night sky to change quite dramatically. So for those who've played it we've actually put in most of the earth centric constellations in the sky, but when you travel a little away they all distort, but more important we are bang in the middle of this dust. So your night sky is quite dark, but if you go say a hundred light years directly out of the galactic plane it’s a bit like poking up. When you're on a plane taking off from an airport, you get that amazing view when you come out of the clouds looking out of the window and you suddenly see right across. That's what it's like and some of the systems, [[Achenar]] for example is the center of the Empire and a giant system which is actually out of the galactic plane so you can see across to the galaxy just a little bit it's just wonderful."''<ref name=":2" /> | ||
== Exploration == | == Exploration == | ||
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Codex-Galaxy-Regions.png|thumb|250px|Galaxy Regions]] | [[File:Elite-Dangerous-Codex-Galaxy-Regions.png|thumb|250px|Galaxy Regions]] | ||
The [[Codex]] has a Discoveries section and the galaxy consists of 42 regions. Each [[Galactic regions|galactic region]] has information detailing the stellar bodies, geological/biological entities and civilisation contained within them. Within each system, there are a variety of things for you to discover, such as [[stars]], terrestrials, [[species]], gas giants, [[Points of Interest]] and more.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/ | The [[Codex]] has a Discoveries section and the galaxy consists of 42 regions. Each [[Galactic regions|galactic region]] has information detailing the stellar bodies, geological/biological entities and civilisation contained within them. Within each system, there are a variety of things for you to discover, such as [[stars]], terrestrials, [[species]], gas giants, [[Points of Interest]] and more.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/content-recap-beyond-chapter-four-livestream-exploration-and-the-codex.451420/ Frontier Forums: Content Recap: Beyond - Chapter Four Livestream - Exploration and the Codex]</ref> | ||
* As of March 2, 2018, Commanders discovered 112,863,791 unique [[star system]]s, which is only 0.028% of the systems in the galaxy.<ref>https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/969618512909078528</ref> Over 20,262,978,541 light-years had been traversed via [[hyperspace]] since ''[[Elite Dangerous]]'' was released.<ref>https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/969890146970726402</ref> | * As of March 2, 2018, Commanders discovered 112,863,791 unique [[star system]]s, which is only 0.028% of the systems in the galaxy.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/969618512909078528 Twitter: Elite Dangerous, 2 Mar 2018]</ref> Over 20,262,978,541 light-years had been traversed via [[hyperspace]] since ''[[Elite Dangerous]]'' was released.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/969890146970726402 Twitter: Elite Dangerous, 3 Mar 2018]</ref> | ||
* As of February 26, 2019, only 0.036% of the galaxy had been explored.<ref>https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/1100358382236643328</ref> | * As of February 26, 2019, only 0.036% of the galaxy had been explored.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/1100358382236643328 Twitter: Elite Dangerous, 26 Feb 2019]</ref> | ||
* As of December 16, 2019, only 0.042% of the galaxy had been explored.<ref name="5th">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/celebrating-5-years-of-elite-dangerous.533151/ Frontier Forums: Celebrating 5 years of Elite Dangerous!]</ref> | * As of December 16, 2019, only 0.042% of the galaxy had been explored.<ref name="5th">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/celebrating-5-years-of-elite-dangerous.533151/ Frontier Forums: Celebrating 5 years of Elite Dangerous!]</ref> | ||
* As of January 20, 2022, only 0.05% of the galaxy, or exactly 222,083,678 unique star systems, had been explored.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/1484194055961681926?cxt=HHwWjIC9tauo9ZgpAAAA | * As of January 20, 2022, only 0.05% of the galaxy, or exactly 222,083,678 unique star systems, had been explored.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/1484194055961681926?cxt=HHwWjIC9tauo9ZgpAAAA Twitter: Elite Dangerous, 20 Jan 2022]</ref> | ||
=== Traffic === | === Traffic === | ||
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=== Circumnavigation of the galaxy === | === Circumnavigation of the galaxy === | ||
Hanekura Shizuka decided to see just how long a circumnavigation of the galaxy would take. He started at the Witch Head Science Center to its finish at Achrende. It went pretty fast. He started at 18:55:00 on May 23, 3304, and finished at 08:11:13 on May 31. Total time to circumnavigate the galaxy was: 7 days, 13 hours, 16 minutes, 13 seconds.<ref>https://forums.frontier.co.uk/ | Hanekura Shizuka decided to see just how long a circumnavigation of the galaxy would take. He started at the Witch Head Science Center to its finish at Achrende. It went pretty fast. He started at 18:55:00 on May 23, 3304, and finished at 08:11:13 on May 31. Total time to circumnavigate the galaxy was: 7 days, 13 hours, 16 minutes, 13 seconds.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/around-the-galaxy-in-7-553-days-a-dece-speed-circumnavigation.429935/ Frontier Forums: Around the Galaxy in 7.553 days - a DECE Speed Circumnavigation]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccG4Xs7XcvA YouTube: Sagittarius Eye Bulletin - Galactic Circumnavigation Record Shattered]</ref> | ||
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== Persistent Data == | == Persistent Data == | ||
Every week the servers go offline to allow the Galaxy's persistent data to update:<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/7damhz/weekly_server_the_milky_way_will_be_going_offline/</ref> | Every week the servers go offline to allow the Galaxy's persistent data to update:<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/7damhz/weekly_server_the_milky_way_will_be_going_offline/ <nowiki>reddit: [WEEKLY SERVER] The Milky Way will be going offline at ~7am UTC for its scheduled service. (November 16, 2017)</nowiki>]</ref> | ||
* [[Star Systems|Star System]] & [[Station]]/[[Outpost]] ruling [[Minor Faction|minor factions]], alignment, and available [[commodities]] & services | * [[Star Systems|Star System]] & [[Station]]/[[Outpost]] ruling [[Minor Faction|minor factions]], alignment, and available [[commodities]] & services | ||
* [[Powerplay]] Control/Exploited Systems | * [[Powerplay]] Control/Exploited Systems | ||
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''Cheap and faster than light travel has enabled humanity to expand across the stars. They've built colonies, cities, stations and empires. This led to the rise of galactic superpowers: the [[Federation]], [[Empire]] and [[Alliance]]. The galaxy's vast wealth of minerals, water and life-bearing planets makes them wealthier every day. Such wealth of the major [[factions]] attracts [[power|powerful people]] who scheme daily to gain power.''<ref name=":1" /> | ''Cheap and faster than light travel has enabled humanity to expand across the stars. They've built colonies, cities, stations and empires. This led to the rise of galactic superpowers: the [[Federation]], [[Empire]] and [[Alliance]]. The galaxy's vast wealth of minerals, water and life-bearing planets makes them wealthier every day. Such wealth of the major [[factions]] attracts [[power|powerful people]] who scheme daily to gain power.''<ref name=":1" /> | ||
''The middle-classes can afford spaceships like cars in the 20th century. This gives them tremendous freedom. Space trade is seldom hampered by politics. Pilots are encouraged to do all kinds of jobs such as supplying [[Station|stations]]. Little has changed for those in the bottom of society since the old-[[Earth]]'s dark ages. The planet-spanning mega [[corporations]] employ entire nations and rule unchecked over vast sections of the galaxy. Weapons are readily available and people are inclined to shoot first. The general lawlessness of space, inequality, greed of the galactic elite, navigational hazards and fierce creatures on [[planets]] make it a dangerous galaxy.''<ref name=":1">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edrpg/elite-dangerous-role-playing-game</ref> | ''The middle-classes can afford spaceships like cars in the 20th century. This gives them tremendous freedom. Space trade is seldom hampered by politics. Pilots are encouraged to do all kinds of jobs such as supplying [[Station|stations]]. Little has changed for those in the bottom of society since the old-[[Earth]]'s dark ages. The planet-spanning mega [[corporations]] employ entire nations and rule unchecked over vast sections of the galaxy. Weapons are readily available and people are inclined to shoot first. The general lawlessness of space, inequality, greed of the galactic elite, navigational hazards and fierce creatures on [[planets]] make it a dangerous galaxy.''<ref name=":1">[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edrpg/elite-dangerous-role-playing-game Kickstarter: Elite Dangerous Role Playing Game]</ref> | ||
== Visible Galaxies == | == Visible Galaxies == | ||