Basil Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 If you're thinking about mapping the galaxy (or a large part of it) for your campaign, here's some information you can use. THIS is a huge JPG of the galaxy mapped out, with a coordinate system (centered on the Sun) and the various arms named. Very useful! HERE is the central parts of the galaxy, with the same coordinate system. HERE is another picture, based on the first linked picture, but without the coordinate system. It's also smaller, which some might find convenient. Here's TWO MORE links, each having a number of links to different sizes and formats. Now you've got the latest info on the shape of the galaxy, have fun making maps for your Star HERO campaign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyrath Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Yes, I know, I know. Oops, the astronomers said, the Milky Way has two spiral arms, not four. Thanks for nothing, guys. I had made a map using the 4 arm data: http://www.projectrho.com/smap12.html#map04 basing it on this now obsolete map http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/mediaimages/sig/sig05-010.shtml I'm in the process of re-vamping the entire map because of this. What a pain. Hopefully I'll have it finished before too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Yes, I know, I know. Oops, the astronomers said, the Milky Way has two spiral arms, not four. Thanks for nothing, guys. I had made a map using the 4 arm data: http://www.projectrho.com/smap12.html#map04 basing it on this now obsolete map http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/mediaimages/sig/sig05-010.shtml I'm in the process of re-vamping the entire map because of this. What a pain. Hopefully I'll have it finished before too long. Wow! Still very impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edsel Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Yes, I know, I know. Oops, the astronomers said, the Milky Way has two spiral arms, not four. Thanks for nothing, guys. I had made a map using the 4 arm data: http://www.projectrho.com/smap12.html#map04 basing it on this now obsolete map http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/mediaimages/sig/sig05-010.shtml I'm in the process of re-vamping the entire map because of this. What a pain. Hopefully I'll have it finished before too long. I imagine in a few years an even better survey will change the shape again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Great finds, Basil! Good luck with that work, Nyrath! Must remember all that stuff you're doing when it comes time to update SH for 6E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyrath Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Good luck with that work' date=' Nyrath! Must remember all that stuff you're doing when it comes time to update SH for 6E. [/quote'] I'd be more than happy to help. I will say that the explanatory astronomical text in Star Hero is by far the best in the business, and better than most SF novels. It gave me the idea to mark the "galactic habitable zone" on my map. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted July 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Yes, I know, I know. Oops, the astronomers said, the Milky Way has two spiral arms, not four. Thanks for nothing, guys. I had made a map using the 4 arm data: http://www.projectrho.com/smap12.html#map04 basing it on this now obsolete map http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/mediaimages/sig/sig05-010.shtml I'm in the process of re-vamping the entire map because of this. What a pain. Hopefully I'll have it finished before too long. Well, to me it looks like there are two major and two minor arms (the "Sagittarius Arm" and the other which is labeled "Norma Arm" in one area and "Outer Arm" in another). So hopefully that will reduce the work you need to do. And perhaps Edsel is right, and they'll be calling it four arms again soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy I will say that the explanatory astronomical text in Star Hero is by far the best in the business, and better than most SF novels. It gave me the idea to mark the "galactic habitable zone" on my map. Thanx! Credit for that goes entirely to Jim Cambias. The silly thing is, it's only six years old and already kinda out of date. There's no mention of "dwarf planets" or the raft of non-Sol-orbiting planet discovered out there, f'rex. Science marches on. Fortunately, we'll get the chance to bring it all up to date with 6E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyrath Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Thanx! Credit for that goes entirely to Jim Cambias. The silly thing is, it's only six years old and already kinda out of date. There's no mention of "dwarf planets" or the raft of non-Sol-orbiting planet discovered out there, f'rex. Science marches on. Fortunately, we'll get the chance to bring it all up to date with 6E. Mr. Cambias is a pro. He knows his science. It is hard keeping things up to date when scientists keep discovering new items. I did add a few items on my galaxy map specifically for SF authors. There were three "pre-supernova" stars that may explode any day now. I marked the locations of the oldest known star, the youngest known star, and the most recent supernova. I indicated the dimensions of the "local bubble", a region of lower than average interstellar gas density around Sol that is bad news for Bussard Ramjet starships. And of course there is Gliese 710, a star on a more or less direct collision course with Sol (though it isn't going to hit until about 1.4 million years from now). I'm almost finished updating my map and will have it available shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crypt Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Yes, I know, I know. Oops, the astronomers said, the Milky Way has two spiral arms, not four. Thanks for nothing, guys. I had made a map using the 4 arm data: http://www.projectrho.com/smap12.html#map04 basing it on this now obsolete map http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/mediaimages/sig/sig05-010.shtml I'm in the process of re-vamping the entire map because of this. What a pain. Hopefully I'll have it finished before too long. your maps are very sweet --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyrath Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Why, thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maelstrom Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Yes, I know, I know. Oops, the astronomers said, the Milky Way has two spiral arms, not four. Thanks for nothing, guys. I had made a map using the 4 arm data: http://www.projectrho.com/smap12.html#map04 basing it on this now obsolete map http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/mediaimages/sig/sig05-010.shtml I'm in the process of re-vamping the entire map because of this. What a pain. Hopefully I'll have it finished before too long. Dammit, if a galaxy with two arms are good, then four arms MUST be better! Don't run yourself down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaws Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Great Maps, Extremely useful. I am considering them for a MASS EFFECT Campaign since it takes place in our Galaxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted August 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Dammit' date=' if a galaxy with two arms are good, then four arms MUST be better! Don't run yourself down! [/quote'] "Two arms good, four arms better"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maelstrom Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy "Two arms good' date=' four arms [u']better[/u]"? Whoops. Meant to be supportive, not Orwellian. I can't wait to use the four-armed galaxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyrath Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Mapping the galaxy Great Maps' date=' Extremely useful. I am considering them for a MASS EFFECT Campaign since it takes place in our Galaxy.[/quote'] Glad to hear it. Putting a bit of scientific accuracy in your campaign always impresses the heck out of your group of players. It's educational too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.