27-09-3308
10:21:45
nner Orion Spur | Musca Dark Region CQ-Y D86

Entry 030

I took a trip to see the Coalsack Nebula, and I’ve gotta say…this nebula is almost more terrifying than a black hole. Being half in and half out of it is extremely disorienting, and it’s like half the stars in the galaxy were snuffed out and consumed by darkness, whereas the other side is totally fine. Being completely submerged within the nebula is almost better, because it simply looks like the night sky on any planet with an atmosphere. Very strange. I only took one photo, and it was outside of the Coalsack since it was the only good sight.

Next up on my trip will be the R Coronae Australis Nebula.

27-09-3308
09:55:11
Inner Orion Spur | HIP 63835

Entry 029

Have I ever spoken about how much black holes scare the hell out of me?

Well, I’m in a system with about three of them, and one of them has an orbit so close to the star I’m surprised that the star hasn’t been eaten yet! I took one picture and I’m about to high tailed it out of here because there’s no way I’m staying. Also, while the black hole isn’t visible in a stationary image, it IS visible when you’re moving around the system because of the gravitational lensing. I have circled the area in the image where the black hole is.

Next up on my trip will be the Coalsack Nebula.

27-09-3308
08:50:30
Inner Orion Spur | WISE 1506+7027 | Dobrovolskiy Enterprise

Entry 028

This (might) be the last update I make before I go on my next journey. I have, for the most part, planned my route towards the centre of the galaxy. Below are pictures of my entire route. I may change it in the future, and I’m going to hold off for just one more day before I actually go on my journey, as I want to stuff as much interesting stuff as I can into my travels, but here is my basic route towards Sagittarius A*

Full route

Here is the entire route, from Sol all the way to the centre of the galaxy. In the next few pictures I’ll be showing more intricate paths, which I’m mostly posting for my own personal use, so I can refer back to it later.

From Sol to Mammon

From Mammon to The Lagoon Nebula

From The Lagoon Nebula to CD-23 14350

From CD-23 14350 to Sagittarius A*

Although the past few images seemed like they were going to be a very long affair, it is nothing compared the last leg of the journey, which I know is going to test my limits and my patience. This is literally the second exploration journey I’ve ever gone on, and it’s also most likely going to be the longest, especially since I actually have to return to inhabited space at some point. Meaning I have to travel the exact same distance to get back.

What I’m trying to say, is that I’m putting a lot of faith in my own sanity. This will be a very difficult journey, for my ship, for my sanity, for my patience…for everything. I’m just hoping the my first journey was enough experience for me to be able to go on this one and be okay. But there is an upside.

I’ve put in orbitals and other places for me to dock into my route, so the journey won’t be as incredibly harrowing and dangerous if I had simply gone straight to Sagittarius A* and then back again. There will be quite a few places for me to dock and repair my ship if things go awry (such as in the Lagoon Nebula).

Besides all of that, I’m very excited to be going on this journey, and hopefully none of you have to wait too long for another update. The next update will (most likely) be the first thing that I come across of interest in my journey. So, when you see this log, make the assumption that I have already left!

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

27-09-3308
07:30:20
Inner Orion Spur | WISE 1506+7027 | Dobrovolskiy Enterprise

Entry 027

As promised, here is my FSD log update. I have finally acquired all the materials needed for the pre-engineered FSD, which I now have in my possession. I’m simply waiting for my ASP Explorer to be transferred to the station I am staying at. To pass the time, I’m going to now start planning my route. I am going to try and squeeze as many different cool places into my journey as possible, but I’m still unsure where exactly I want to end up. I know I want to go to the centre of the galaxy, but I’m still unsure about it. I think I’m going to do some more research so I can figure out my route. Within the next few days, or maybe next week, I should have my route mostly planned out.

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

26-09-3308
07:08:53
Inner Orion Spur | HIP 12099 | Planet 1 B

Entry 026

I know that I promised I was going to only make another log when I’d finished getting my FSD (which, as a side note, I am very close to getting), but I think this is a rather unique instance, so I’m making the log.

I was looking for some different materials when I came across a crash site.

Crash sites can be quite common, but this crash site seems to be of a legendary individual who single-handedly destroyed the Thargoids many, many years ago. I’ve only managed to uncover a few voice logs from before he crash landed, but it seems as though his ship had been sabotaged, causing his demise.

Quite a sad sight to see, but also remarkable that the ship is still here after however many years have gone by since the crash. I took some pictures, which are below.

25-09-3308
07:13:18
Inner Orion Spur | LHS 3182 | Carver Orbital

Entry 025

Hello there, Commanders. This is Commander Consortia, finally making another log update after an entire 2 years of being absent.

There’s quite a few reasons why I’ve been so absent. First, my last log that I wrote from my previous journey was lost, as well as the pictures I took from the last nebula on my journey, which really disheartened me. Second, when I got back into inhabited space, some sort of malfunction occurred with my ASP which caused the thrusters to be completely useless, making flying the ship basically impossible. Thirdly, I ended up having some issues happen in my personal life and some serious issues occurring on my home planet which preoccupied my time as I was trying to help. I’ve had no time to update my logs or go on another trip until very recently.

I’m very much still in the early stages of planning my trip. I know I want to go to the centre of the galaxy, but there are many many places I want to go in between and after that, and I’m currently making a list of places I want to go so I can properly route my trip in deep space.

Second, I’m working to get an improved Frame Shift Drive, which is going to take some time for me to buy. I have all the credits in the world from the trading I’ve been doing since my last trip, so it’d be the easiest thing in the galaxy to spend a few million credits on a nice and shiny FSD, but the FSD I’m going to go for will be pre-engineered, so money isn’t really what I’m going to be paying. I actually have to go out there in the galaxy and gather resources and do all sorts of other tasks. But, hopefully this will not take too long and I will eventually be able to have a jump range better than anything I’ve had previously.

I hope everyone will be able to wait. I promise to post an update the moment I have my FSD, and then after that I’ll post another update when I’ve finally planned my route. After that, the next update should be the first nebula or interesting space oddity I’ve come across.

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

15-07-3306
18:34:12
Sanguineous Rim | V651 Monoceros

Entry 024

I got to the Butterfly Nebula rather quickly. I hadn’t realised I had made it already until I was 1 jump away from it. I was quite surprised at the whirlpool-like shape of the nebula from inside the system itself, but it was a very nice surprise. It was quite incredible. I unfortunately only have 2 photos, but they are stunning regardless. Now I just need to make it to the other planetary nebula that has a station in it, and I’ll be safe and sound.

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

14-07-3306
17:22:44
Sanguineous Rim | Seagull Sector JC-V C2-6

Entry 023

I’ve made it to the Seagull Nebula after a small trip. It took me longer than it should’ve because I became a bit frustrated and distracted by the fact that I completely missed a neutron star that was back in the Crab Nebula, though I got back on track soon after I got over it. At this point I’m just really excited to go to the Butterfly Nebula since it’s really not that far away at all. I don’t know why but the planetary nebulae get me more excited than the really big nebulae, for some reason. I just think they’re neat. I’ll make another update once I get there! ‘Til then…enjoy these photos!

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

11-07-3306
21:02:46
Sanguineous Rim | Rosette Sector TD-S B4-4

Entry 022

I’ve made it to the Rosette Nebula already. I just know that this nebula is going to give me some incredible photos. I’ll probably be here forever, but I do have a few more nebulae to go to before I end my trip. After this will be the Seagull Nebula, and then the Butterfly Nebula, which is a planetary nebula. After that it’s just a very, very long trip back home. I say that as I have to fly around thousands of restricted systems to get all the way to T-Tauri. There’s apparently a station there, and it’s also surrounded by a planetary nebula that I missed the last time I was in that area of space. Should be interesting.

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

11-07-3306
16:08:25
Sanguineous Rim | Jellyfish Sector BA-A E3 | Spaceball One K6V-52B

Entry 021

I was taking photos in the Jellyfish Nebula and as I jumped into a new system, I came across a large ship that allowed me to dock into it. It’s called Spaceball One, and I’m writing this in the safety of it’s hull. I managed to sell all of my exploration data at the ship, and it’s such a relief. This entire time I’ve worried over some pirate killing me before I could get to civilization and sell my data, but I’m glad to have found this safe haven. I’m quite surprised about how lucky I’ve been in finding these special places in these nebulae, especially when I’m not even going out of my way to find them. Funny how the universe works. Anyway, enjoy this photo I took of the ship from the outside

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

10-07-3306
21:10:10
Sanguineous Rim|Jellyfish Sector GW-W C1-7

Entry 020

I was quite surprised that the journey from the Crab to the Jellyfish Nebula didn’t take as long. Then again, it was essentially ¼ the trip that getting to the Crab Nebula from the Heart and Soul Nebulae was.

I had a bit of a close call, though. I had become distracted during one of my jumps, and when I came out of hyperspace I ended up almost flying my ship directly into the star in front of me. Luckily I noticed before I was burnt to a crisp and swerved out of the way at the last moment. My ship got a little bit hot but so far, no damage. Still 100% hull. My paint job looks like arse, though.

I’m just glad to be alive. Let’s not lose track like that again.

Next stop: Rosette Nebula. Apparently there’s supposed to be a black hole there! That’ll be exciting!

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

09-07-3306
19:27:05
Sanguineous Rim | Crab Sector KC-V C2-2

Entry 019

I apologise for the extreme delay in these updates.

I have finally reached the Crab Nebula. I’m quite excited to be able to finally see it up close, especially considering the long journey I had to make in order to get here. It’s quite a smaller nebula than the Heart and Soul nebulae I visited previously, but that just makes it easier for me to photograph it. I personally love the blue that comes out between the clouds of red and orange. Makes such a nice contrast.

Anyway, I’ve got nothing else to really say, so please enjoy these pictures instead.

Next stop: Jellyfish Nebula. Hopefully won’t take as long as getting to the Crab Nebula did!

CMDR Consortia signing off, for now.

01-12-3305
17:51:27
Elysian Shore | Heart Sector AG-Y C4

Entry 018

It didn’t take me as long as I thought it would to make it to the Heart and Soul nebulae. I’m taking photos of the Heart Nebula at the moment, and once I’m done I’ll photograph the Soul nebula as well. They are both rather large nebulae so I’ll have lots of opportunities for great shots.

Again, these nebulae never cease to amaze me with their beauty and enormity. I could do this for a lifetime and still be surprised, never finding myself bored.

Going on this journey was the best idea I’ve ever had.

Log update on 29-12-3305 at 17:58:02 at Hypoae Ain NC-D 834-0

My thoughts have been mostly silent as I’ve been taking photos and simply basking in the beautiful glow of these nebulae. I’ve taken almost 40 photos of these nebulae, though I know I unfortunately won’t be able to show every single one of them. It’s a testament to just how beautiful they are. I’ve never taken so many photos of a pair of nebulae before. They’re just that incredible.

Next stop will the Crab Nebula. That will be a hell of a long trip, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it.

Heart Nebula by itself

Soul Nebula by itself

29-11-3305
19:12:30
Elysian Shore | Outott FB-X B1-4

Entry 017

I’ve recently been seeing this red dot in the sky, and it’s been getting bigger the closer I get to the Bubble Nebula. I know it’s not the Bubble Nebula itself because it’s a light blue colour. And I know this red thing not a star because as I get closer it’s starting to show it’s slightly ovular shape. I wonder if it’s a planetary nebula that I’m not picking up on my map?

Okay no, I just checked. The weird red blob in the sky seems to be in the exact same direction and place in the sky as the Bubble Nebula…perhaps the amount of distance away from the nebula I am affects its colour? I’m unsure, but I hope to figure out this weird mystery soon.

Log update on 29-11-3305 at 20:08:14 at Pro Thua ER-Y C3

I was correct. The closer I get to this weird red blob in the sky, the bigger it gets, and the more its colour shifts. I’m certain it’s the Bubble Nebula now.

It’s weird, because it continues to shift from pink to blue, back to red again each time I make a hyperspace jump. I really want to stop second guessing myself. I’m going to stop making updates until I’m 100% sure that I know what it is.

Log update on 29-11-3305 at 1:15:53 at Bubble Sector FB-X C 1-26

I was indeed correct about the weird red blob being the Bubble Nebula from a distance. I have arrived at the nebula and it is quite remarkable! I took almost 20 images, although many of them are kind of similar, so I won’t share all of them. I will stay here for a little while, and enjoy the very beautiful view.

14-07-3305
19:13:00
Elysian Shore | Outordy JF-D B40-0

Entry 016

And so the long, arduous journey to the Bubble Nebula begins. From here on out, there won’t be a lot going on or “happening”, as it were, so most of my thoughts will simply be nonsensical and about things not related to my journey. I will also post images taken at earlier points in my journey that I never bothered to show until now, since there won’t be much in terms of substance for quite a while. Let’s hope I come across some beautiful looking planets or black holes that will make this trek less boring.

Log update on 27-11-3305 at 20:10:04 at Outordy IC-C B 13-0

I have been taking my time to visit different planets and stars, taking it all very slow. I’ve changed my perspective a little bit during this journey and I realise that I’ve been thinking of this journey as more of a task and less of a pleasurable experience.

I’ve also realised that as much as I enjoy exploring the galaxy, it’s terribly lonely out here. I feel that I would do much better mentally if I had another person with me, but alas I don’t have many friends in the first place. Next time I go on a space exploration journey, I’m taking a buddy with. Humans really aren’t meant to be by themselves for so long. We’re social creatures, of course, and the idea of going insane because of social isolation is a very real possibility.

I’ve just had a lot of time to think, being by myself. The stars and planets are the only thing that I really have to look forward to for a very long time before I even make it to the Bubble Nebula.

This journey is going to take a lot longer than I thought it would.

(Here are some of my favourite shots of binary and trinary star systems)