To Boldly Go

The Planets- Jupiter – Gustav Holst

06.03.cy112 Lonetrek, Okunda Constellation, Kiskoken

As I journey through each system in New Eden, I’ve wondered if there’s a single system that contains all of the planetary types. I’ve not kept up with the types as I’ve traveled, so I’m actually not sure if I’ve encountered such a system yet. I think there has been one or two that have come close. This last week, however, as I was taking my pictures in the Kiskoken system, I realized that each planet type was represented with the exception of a terrestial world. That’s when I wondered if there is a system that contains all the types out there some where and have I already encountered it not realizing. I was so taken in by the beauty of the planets, I never really thought about it thus far.

This weeks images are all from Kiskoken. It has all of the planets types except terrestial. I’ll try and keep my eyes open for one that contains all, but if you’ve been through one, let me know.

Kiskoken I, Ocean

Kiskoken II, Storm

Kiskoken III, Plasma

Kiskoken IV, Lava

Kiskoken V, Barren

Kiskoken VII, Ice

Kiskoken VIII,, Gas

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“It’s a blue world. It’s a new world.” – Moody Blues, Blue World

28.02.cy112 Lonetrek, Okunda Constellation, Dantumi

It appears a lot of folks enjoy the plasma’s as much as I or they’ve not seen one as of yet and are interested. So, this monthly stats update I thought I would share some of the plasma’s I’ve encountered on my journey so far. First, let’s see what the definition of plasma is in terms of physic’s from Wikipedia.

“Plasma is a gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. The presence of a non-negligible number of charge carriers makes the plasma electrically conductive so that it responds strongly to electromagnetic fields. Plasma therefore has properties quite unlike those of solids, liquids, or gases and is considered to be a distinct state of matter. Like gas, plasma does not have a definite shape or a definite volume unless enclosed in a container; unlike gas, in the influence of a magnetic field, it may form structures such as filaments, beams and double layers. Some common plasmas are flame, lightning, and the Sun.”

How common are plasma’s in New Eden? – not too common. Out of 128 systems explored, only 14 contained a single plasma planet. That’s just about 11% of systems so far. So, if you are wanting to discover one on your own, you’ll need to visit all of the planets in 10 or 11 systems. You should find at least one … maybe.

Here’s my current stats on my journey:

Regions: 1/31 (3.23%)
Constellations: 18/368 (4.89%)
Systems: 130/2,573 (5.05%)

Ships Lost: 0
Pods Lost: 0

Here’s some of my favorite images of the plasma’s I’ve encountered so far. If you want to see all 14, check out this link to my Astrophotography album where you can also see all of my 1,300 images.

Kiainta V

Messoya IV

Maurasi I

Mitsolen I, Moon 1, Expert Housing Warehouse

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“And I’m giving you permission to be in my head.” – Pale 3, In My Head

19.02.cy112 Lonetrek, Mito Constellation, Oimmo

At long last, I’ve finished my Learning Skills training which also includes Science 3 and Cybernetics 5. All 11 learning skills are at level 5. I had already started my “Basic” training plan so the following pie chart is a little skewed, but you get the idea of where I’m at currently.

So, where to from here? As I’ve mentioned I’ve begun what I’m calling my “Basics” training plan. This plan will simply provide a foundation of shields, armor, hull and maneuverability that other ship skills will build upon. Basically I’ll be training up the following skills to level 5. Keep in mind as an explorer I’m more interested in defensive rather than offensive capabilities.

Mechanic V
Spaceship Command V
Navigation V
Afterburner V
Hull Upgrades V
Evasive Maneuvering V
Shield Management V
Acceleration Control V

After this round of training, I may go ahead and move into Covert Ops or what I’m calling “Advanced Basics” which would include Electronics and Power systems. We’ll see.

 This last week I’ve kinda gotten back on track with exploration. Still not up to where I’d like to be, but that’s life. Here’s some recent images for your enjoyment. If you haven’t checked it out, click the Astrophotography link on the right to see my photo album of more than 1,100 images to date.

Hageken VIII

Kappas II

Sobaseki X, Moon 1, Caldari Navy Assembly Plant

Vuorrassi I, Moon 1

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“Ooh fall and free, fall and free.” – Donna Summer, I Feel Love as performed by the Blue Man Group

22.01.cy112 Lonetrek, Okela Constellation, Tsuguwa

Another major milestone crossed – 100 systems explored so far – In the words of a famous fictional character … Whoa.

I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone so far who has wished me well, encouraged me, posted replies, offered tips and suggestions, EON Magazine, CCP and even the ones who think I’m crazy. I’m an Astrophotographer – it’s what I do. It’s nice to know there are those of you out there actually keeping track of my journey so far and I hope you are enjoying the images as I go. Please be sure to check out the Astrophotography link on the right which now exceeds 1,000 images so far! .. Whoa.

Cheers and here’s to the next 100 systems.

Favorites from this last week

Nourvukaiken VI, Iidoken Gate

Sarekuwa III, Moon 6, Caldari Steel Warehouse

Tunttaras X, Sarekuwa Gate

Ichinumi VII, School of Applied Knowledge

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“So I’ve started out for God knows where. I guess I’ll know when I get there.” – Tom Petty, Learning To Fly

After a month and a half of flying, I’ve finished my first region. The Forge has been fully explored now with over 900 planetary images captured so far. To think that only accounts for a little over 3% explored . . .

Here’s some images from this last week.

Hykkota V, Outuni Gate

Ikuchi II

Outuni III

Eskunen VI, Caldari Construction Warehouse

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“The moon … beautiful. The sun … even more beautiful. Oh yeah.” – Yello, Oh Yeah

8.1.112yc The Forge, Ruomo Constellation, Vaankalen

Received some good news this week. It seems that myself and several other capsuleer’s will have an astrophotography picture featured in the new EON magazine issue. I’m not sure which one was chosen, as I had submitted several for them to pick from, but I’m looking forward to finding out. If you’re a subscriber, be sure to check it out. Oh yeah.

This last week I’ve have added another 11 systems explored to my journey. There’s now well over 800+ pictures in the astrophotography photo album. If you’ve not checked that out, see the links section on the right. Skill training continues with my base learning skills. Currently training Clarity V. Then all I’ll have left is Focus V and Presence V. Almost there, then I’ll be able to start training up basic ship skills and then who knows what.

Also of note this last week, I passed through Jita, the well known market hub of Eve and also New Caldari, the home system of Caldari. As usual, I’ve attached some of my favorite images of the week.

Kisogo IX

New Caldari Prime, Moon 1, Chief Executive Panel & Poksu Mineral Group

Urlen VIII, Perimeter Gate

Itamo III, Perkone Factory

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“The passing stars light the way. The future’s here today.” – Shiny Toy Guns, Rocketship

31.12.yc111 The Forge, Anttanen Constellation, Unpas

Happy New Year!

This last week has been a mixed bag of laughs. I found myself deep in low security space with 3 systems left to explore at a time when I needed to get back to base and plug in some new learning skills. So, in my haste to explore and get out of low security as well as return to base, I realized once I got back, I missed planet 7 in the Fuskunen system. At least I thought it was Fuskunen 7. Frustrated with myself and somewhat laughing, I realized I would have to return to low security space. So, I plugged in my next skills (Focus, Clarity and Presence) and thought about how to proceed.

Coming out, I had managed to evade a gate camp which I knew going back in, I would not be able to do effectively. Checking with Aura, I plotted a backdoor entry to Fuskunen. It would be only two jumps in from high security instead of the 6 which would have been much closer. As it was, to get the fewer jumps in I would have to travel 28 jumps out of my way. Ah well, better safe than sorry. Upon arrival and snapping another shot, I realized it wasn’t 7 that I had missed. I had mislabeled the image as 6 when it should have been 7. So, I had to warp again, get the correct shot to correct my error. I won’t be making that mistake twice, as I’m sure I’ll be too busy making new mistakes instead. Got the image of Fuskunen 6 and got out then 28 jumps back. Whew!

Monthly Stats

Time has flown -no pun intended- Has it really been a month? So, how am I doing so far? Let’s see …

Regions: 0/31 (0.00%)
Constellations: 10/368 (2.72%)
Systems: 70/2,573 (2.72%)

Ships Lost: 0
Pods Lost: 0

At this rate, if I’m able to maintain this pace, it will take about 3 years to explore what I’m calling phase I …

Hmm, ok, let’s not think about that too much!

Here’s some images from the last two weeks.

Sakkikainen VI, Moon 1, Lai Dai Corp Factory

Liekuri VII, Josameto Gate 

Olo III, Moon 1, Sukuuvestaa Corp Warehouse

 Nuken VIII, Moon 7, Lai Dai Corp Research Center

Shihuken VIII, Tuuriainas Gate

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 - The Moody Blues, 22,000 Days

18.12.yc111 The Forge, Okkelen Constellation, Friggi

Another week down, day by day, and so far I’ve explored a total of 32 systems across 4+ constellations. It truly feels like it will take 22,000 days to complete this journey. Actually, it should take far less, but it sounds more dramatic that way. Of course there are moments of pure boredom. During those times I read about others and their experiences as a capsuleer. It’s interesting reading from some very interesting folks. From miners to traders and other explorers who’ve taken on the challenges of wormhole space. Then there are those unsavory characters … the pirates.

Now what’s interesting about those that call themselves pirates is, they’re a mixed breed. Some provide insightful tips into how to survive in the universe that is New Eden. Others simply like to gloat about their exploits and even provide the logs so you can listen in on their cruelty and the pitiful cries of those that they’ve destroyed. From these folks and others that I’ve read, I’ve seen the best and the worst in sentient beings.

During my exploration this week I caught of glimpse of one of these pirate characters. It was in the Ihakana, a low security system. Just where you would expect to find one. As always, I checked the locals to see what I might be getting into and found there were a fair number of pilots in the system, but none of which seemed to be unruly. At least from their security standings. So, going about my astrophotography of the system, it was when I finished up that I noticed him. A red indicator showed up on his pilot profile alerting me to the fact to be extra cautious with this individual.

Having finished up, I made for a local station to rest and resupply. Setting out the next day, again I checked local and all was well. So, not seeing the before mentioned individual, I prepared for launch. It was when I started to undock that he came up on my locals list. Now that was interesting. It seemed he came out of nowhere. Too late to stop the procedure, I felt the chances of him waiting just outside of the station were slim, after all it was a big system. However, that was not the case, there he was and a shiver went down my spine. Fortunately, my ship was able to align and warp out to the gate in a timely manner. Nothing was said between us or in local. The silence was eerie and only added to the uneasy feeling.

Reflecting upon the encounter, I really can’t say that he had ill intentions or not towards me. It did seem odd, however, that one moment he wasn’t there, then the next he was and just outside where I was at. I do wonder if I had been singled out and sought after or if it was just co-incidence. Ah well, my journey has taken me far from there and perhaps I’ll never know. One thing is for certain, you have to stay on guard at all times and not let the boredom make you do clumsy things.

Following are some of this week’s astrophotography highlights. Don’t forget to check out the link on the right for all of my pictures so far. Thanks for reading!

Mastakomon XI

Uchoshi I, Concord Bureau

Wirashoda VII. Moon 1

Friggi I, Amazing Canyon

Friggi VII, Moon 12, Lai Dai Corp Factory

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“I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise, we climbed aboard their starship, we headed for the skies.” – Styx, Come Sail Away

11.12.yc111 The Forge, Orpana Constellation, Eruka

Since my last update, I’ve explored an additional 16 systems. Which brings me to a total of 23 systems across 3+ constellations. Then I look ed at my percentage complete and I had to laugh at myself. Not even 1 percent. What have I gotten myself into? Ah well, the journey so far has been fun and some of the sights have been amazing.

My initial training track still has me building up my learning skills which will be the foundation. Starting out it seemed I was making great progress on my skills, but then I hit one of those big ones and it feels as if the galaxy stopped. Been feeling that way for a what seems like a week now learning Logic five.

Other news, this last weeks exploration found me crossing into low security systems for the first time. I’m not sure that I had any expectations going in, other than to be a bit more careful. I actually have found them to be fairly empty so far. Very quiet too. Maybe too quiet.

The ship is holding up well. I took a few pictures including it. On that note, I wanted to thank Warbz for the Photobucket suggestion. I’m using it for all my astrophotography so far. What’s interesting is I’ve just now hit 1% usage on Photobucket and 0.89% systems explored. Hmmm . . . I’ll worry about that later I suppose. See Astrophotography under links for all of my photos so far.

Following are some of my favorites from this last week.

Vattuolen XI, Soshin Gate

Hentogaira IV, Prompt Delivery Storage

Eruka VII

Kiainta V

“Sometimes there’s a part of me has to turn from here and go. Running like a child from these warm stars, down the seven bridges road.” – Steve Young, Seven Bridges Road as performed by Ricochet

4.12.yc111 The Forge, Okomon Constellation, Uoyonen System

Seven systems explored now and that finishes up my home constellation. I wonder when I’ll make it back here again as the road will be a long one. A journey that I’m sure will take years. I’ve not even said goodbye to the family. They don’t even know that I’ve become a pod pilot. They simply wouldn’t understand. I’ll take comfort in the stars and my fellow pod pilots, as only they can understand.

I’ve not decided how I’m going to do this just yet. My storage limitations will make this a challenge. I’d love nothing more than to post a picture of each planet, but I know that is not realistic. Perhaps there is a gallery site I can publish a photo album. I’ll put that on my to do list. If another fellow pilot knows of a site, please share. For now, I will try and post a few interesting photos from each constellation. I’ll try to do at least one from each system, but no promises.

There were a few interesting planet types I had not seen as of yet. So here they are.

Abagawa I, Lava

Gekutami III, Barren

Hampinen V, Hurricane in the southern hemisphere

Hurtoken II, Plasma

Jakanerva III, Water World

Uoyonen IX, Perkone Warehouse

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