1420:Comprehensive Survey of Deep Space Nebulae

A Comprehensive Survey of Deep Space Nebulae presents a catalog of deep-space nebulae visible from capsuleer-deployed camera drones throughout the New Eden cluster. Nebular morphology, spatial distribution, and notable physical characteristics are analyzed and discussed. In the course of this comprehensive survey, a previously uncatalogued nebular structure was identified within The Citadel region, suggesting that significant features of the interstellar medium remain undocumented despite extensive capsuleer activity.

Author: Dan Seggan, Signal Cartel Incorporated

Published: February 4, YC128 in The Explorer's Compendium, Thera XII

Introduction

Ever since before the civilizations of New Eden achieved spaceflight, astronomers have observed objects in the night sky that appeared not quite point-like. Some were eventually identified as planets or stellar companions, while others resisted early classification, presenting as diffuse and irregular structures whose nature could only be inferred indirectly. These early observations laid the foundation for the study of what are now collectively termed interstellar nebulae.

The construction of the first stargates several centuries ago marked a decisive shift in humanity’s ability to study these structures. Observers could for the first time approach nebulae directly, resolving their internal morphology, luminosity, and spectral properties in detail. As stargate networks expanded and sensor technology improved, nebulae came to be understood not merely as distant curiosities, but as dynamic components of the interstellar medium, influencing stellar formation, electromagnetic propagation, and navigational conditions throughout the cluster.

In the modern era, capsuleer-operated vessels have become uniquely well suited to the study of nebular structures. Capsuleer sensor suites, autonomous camera drones, and the practical indifference of capsuleers to extreme environmental risk have enabled sustained observation within regions previously considered inaccessible or economically unjustifiable for baseline crews. Consequently, much of the recent advancement in nebular observation has occurred outside traditional academic institutions, driven instead by independent capsuleer-scientists and exploratory organizations.

Several notable attempts have been made to collate nebular observations across New Eden. In particular, prior work published by the capsuleer known on the GalNet as /u/MacrophageNT represented an early and influential effort to visualize the distribution of nebulae throughout the cluster. While valuable, this work did not seek to exhaustively catalog all observable nebular structures, nor did it consistently corroborate observed features with CONCORD-assigned nomenclature and regional classifications.^[1]

Another notable attempt was undertaken by capsuleer Mark726 through the EVE Travel project, in which most visible nebulae were cataloged, presumably during the extensive journeys for which EVE Travel is known.^[2] However, this list is incomplete and contains several inaccuracies, including not associating the Aridia-region viewpoint of The Cauldron with The Cauldron nebula itself.

Despite the ubiquity of nebulae in capsuleer operations—where they serve as navigational landmarks, sources of aesthetic reference, and, in some cases, areas of sensor interference—no unified, cluster-wide catalog currently exists that integrates observational data with standardized naming and locational metadata. This absence has resulted in inconsistent terminology, duplicated discoveries, and gaps in the historical record of nebular observation.

The present study seeks to address this deficiency by presenting a comprehensive catalog of all interstellar nebulae visible to capsuleer-deployed camera drones within the New Eden cluster. By systematically documenting nebular morphology, spatial distribution, and notable characteristics, this work aims to provide a stable reference framework for future scientific investigation, exploratory operations, and archival efforts.

Data Sources and Methods

Instrumentation

Observational data were primarily acquired using standard capsuleer-deployed camera drones. Unless otherwise noted, drones were operated at reduced image fidelity to minimize performance degradation during extended observational runs; full-resolution imagery was captured selectively for archival purposes.

Primary survey operations were conducted using a series of shuttle-class vessels operating under the DSS Marathon program:

Council Diplomatic Shuttle DSS Marathon VI—surveyed DSN-1 through DSN-10. Vessel was intentionally self-destructed following completion of assigned observations due to the absence of a proximate wormhole egress from the Solitude region.

Council Diplomatic Shuttle DSS Marathon VII—surveyed DSN-11 through DSN-15. Vessel was destroyed by an electromagnetic smartbomb during transit through a gate camp near 0SHT-A in the Curse region. Two non-capsuleer scientific personnel were lost during the incident.^{[Note 1]}

Amarr Shuttle DSS Marathon V—surveyed DSN-16 through DSN-18. Vessel was destroyed by pirate forces operating in proximity to the newly established Traumark security installation.^{[Note 2]}

Council Diplomatic Shuttle DSS Marathon VIII—surveyed the final regions following the cataloging of DSN-18, specifically Cloud Ring, Catch, and Impasse. Vessel was lost following pilot inattention during post-survey transit operations.

To supplement positional data, CONCORD deep-space planetary industry monitoring arrays were intermittently utilized to confirm large-scale nebular alignment and system coordinates. Arrays located within Jovian-controlled space^{[Note 3]} were additionally employed in an attempt to analyze emissions associated with Caroline’s Star. These instruments were unable to resolve the object in question; possible explanations are discussed in Section 5.

Classification Scheme

Nebulae identified during the survey were classified according to dominant composition and inferred formation mechanism, as follows:

Type I—Molecular clouds composed primarily of light elements, exhibiting emission spectra dominated by elemental fluorescence energized by nearby stellar radiation.

Type II—Dust or molecular clouds primarily visible through the reflection of light from adjacent stars.

Type III—Dense dust clouds characterized by the attenuation or complete obscuration of background starlight.

Type IV—Nebulae formed as remnants of cataclysmic stellar events, including novae and supernovae.

Type V—Nebular structures consisting of relativistic plasma associated with accretion activity around black holes.

A suffix of d indicates a significant presence of dust.

Results

This section presents the Deep Space Nebula (DSN) catalog, detailing nebular morphology, regional location, and notable observational characteristics. More images can be found in Appendix A. A map of the New Eden cluster with the DSN catalog overlaid can be found in Appendix B.

DSN-1

Name: "The Cauldron" (CONCORD-official)

Type: Id

Closest region: Kor-Azor

Proximate regions: Aridia, Genesis, Solitude, Fountain

Notes: The Cauldron exhibits highly diverse morphology. From regions such as Fountain and Genesis, it appears as an elongated Type Id nebula, while from Kador, Khanid, and Kor-Azor, it appears bright and nearly circular, resembling a Type I. Determining that these observations corresponded to the same nebula required considerable effort.^{[Note 5]}

DSN-2

Name: "Domain Nebula" (provisional^{[Note 6]})

Type: Id

Closest region: Domain

Proximate regions: Kor-Azor, Tash-Murkon, The Bleak Lands

Notes: The primary nebula of Amarr space, notable for its extensive emission regions and dense molecular filaments.^{[Note 7]}

DSN-3

Name: "Malpais Nebula" (provisional)

Type: II

Closest region: Malpais

Proximate regions: Outer Passage, Perrigen Falls

Notes: The primary nebula of the Drone Regions. Initially mistaken for a Type I, its coloration indicates a Type II instead.

DSN-4

Name: "Cloud Ring" (CONCORD-approved)

Type: IV

Closest region: Cloud Ring

Proximate regions: Outer Ring, Placid, Pure Blind

Notes: The ring-like morphology suggests that an extremely asymmetric supernova produced Cloud Ring. Its greenish coloration indicates a relative overabundance of copper.

DSN-5

Name: "Lonetrek Nebula" (provisional)

Type: IId

Closest region: Lonetrek

Proximate regions: The Citadel, The Forge, Pure Blind

Notes: The primary nebula of Caldari space. Previously misidentified in some literature as The Forge Nebula. Notable for two smaller nebular structures in close proximity, separated by dust lanes, which are cataloged separately as DSN-11 and DSN-12.

DSN-6

Name: "Verge Vendor Nebula" (provisional)

Type: IVd

Closest region: Verge Vendor

Proximate regions: Everyshore, Sinq Laison

Notes: The primary nebula of Gallente space. Previously misidentified in some literature as the Essence Nebula. Dust observed along the outer regions suggests that the event which produced this Type IV nebula occurred within a preexisting Type III dust cloud.

DSN-7

Name: "Metropolis Nebula" (provisional)

Type: III

Closest region: Metropolis

Proximate regions: Molten Heath

Notes: The primary nebula of Minmatar space.

DSN-8

Name: "Caroline's Star" (CONCORD-official)

Type: IV

Location: W477-P, UUA-F4

Notes: Ok I'm breaking character for this one. What in Hek is with this nebula???

Its apparent parallax changes between systems, not regions, despite being far too distant for such effects to be measurable.
It does not change perspective despite exhibiting clear rotational asymmetry.
When the supernova event that produced it was observed, it was witnessed simultaneously across all of New Eden.
It is not observable by CONCORD planetary industry monitoring arrays.
It can be observed across nearly all of New Eden, even through other nebulae.

See Section 5 for more discussion.

DSN-9

Name: "Ginnungagap" (CONCORD-official)

Type: Vd

Closest region: The Kalevala Expanse

Proximate regions: Geminate, Great Wildlands, Etherium Reach

Notes: Dust observed along the outer edges of the relativistic jet, as well as its unusually broad structure, suggests that the event which formed the black hole may have produced a now-dissipated Type IV nebula.

DSN-10

Name: "Jove Nebula"^{[Note 9]} (provisional)

Type: Id

Closest region: A821-A

Proximate regions: J7HZ-F, UUA-F4, Venal, Tenal

Notes: The primary nebula of Jove space.

DSN-11

Name: "Big Citadel Nebula" (provisional)

Type: I

Closest region: The Citadel

Proximate regions: The Forge

Notes: A poorly-understood nebula, the only reference located during this survey comes from fellow capsuleer-scientist Alistair Atreides, who refers to it as the "Badminton Nebula". ^[3]

DSN-12

Name: "Little Citadel Nebula" (provisional)

Type: Id

Closest region: The Citadel

Proximate regions: The Forge

Notes: This nebula appears to be previously unrecorded, making it a potential new discovery. During the course of the survey, no prior references to it were located, despite it being readily visible from Jita, the most active capsuleer system in New Eden.

DSN-13

Name: "Cord of the Elements" (CONCORD-official)

Type: III

Location: D-B7YK, Syndicate

Notes: This nebula is one of only three in the catalog that are only visible from a single system due to their small size. Standard capsuleer drones can observe it only at resolutions higher than low.^{[Note 10]}

DSN-14

Name: "Trace Cosmos" (CONCORD-official)

Type: V

Location: Gererique, Solitude

Notes: This nebula is one of only three in the catalog that are only visible from a single system due to their small size. It is surprisingly dim considering that it contains four active black holes, especially when compared to DSN-9, which exhibits significant brightness with only a single black hole.^{[Note 11]}

DSN-15

Name: "Tenerifis Nebula" (provisional)

Type: IVd

Closest region: Tenerifis

Proximate regions: Omist, Immensea

Notes: Dust observed in the outer regions suggests that this nebula has expanded into and merged with a nearby Type III nebula. The asymmetry, with material present on only one side, indicates that the nebula did not originate from within the Type III structure.

DSN-16

Name: "Scalding Pass Nebula" (provisional)

Type: Id

Closest region: Scalding Pass

Proximate regions: Wicked Creek, Great Wildlands

Notes: None.^{[Note 12]}

DSN-17

Name: "Pool of Radiance" (CONCORD-official)

Type: II?

Location: 6QBH-S, Stain

Notes: This nebula is one of only three in the catalog only visible from a single system due to its small size. Standard capsuleer drones can observe it only at resolutions higher than low. CONCORD analysis indicates that it is composed of tiny crystalline structures resembling cirrus clouds, rather than typical gas or dust. The source of the light at the center remains unknown.

DSN-18

Name: "Vapor Sea" (CONCORD-official)

Type: Id

Closest region: Tash-Murkon

Proximate regions: Stain, Period Basis, Querious

Notes: Notable as a star-forming nebula, despite the absence of main-sequence stars within it.

Discussion

The nebulae of New Eden exhibit considerable diversity in composition and morphology. The cataloged distribution includes seven Type I nebulae, three Type II, two Type III, four Type IV, and two Type V nebulae. Interstellar dust is notably prevalent: ten nebulae display significant dust content. Dust-rich nebulae are predominantly located in the southwestern portion of the cluster, including DSN-7 (Type III), DSN-9 (Type Vd, hypothesized to be the remnant of a former Type III), DSN-15 (Type IVd, apparently merged with a Type III), DSN-16 (Type Id), and DSN-18 (Type Id).

A spatial color gradient is observed relative to the four primary empire nebulae. In the southern sector, adjacent to Amarr space, nebulae predominantly exhibit yellow-orange hues (DSN-1, DSN-2, DSN-18). The western sector, near Gallente space, contains green nebulae (DSN-4, DSN-6). Caldari-aligned northern regions are characterized by blue nebulae (DSN-3, DSN-5), while the western Minmatar sector exhibits dust-rich brown nebulae (DSN-7, DSN-9, DSN-15, DSN-16). Exceptions to these trends include DSN-10 (Jove Nebula), DSN-8 (Caroline’s Star), DSN-11 and DSN-12 (the Citadel twins), and the small local nebulae DSN-13, DSN-14, and DSN-17. This pattern suggests a common formative process.

One plausible mechanism is a cataclysmic event near the center of the cluster, dispersing progenitor material that subsequently formed these nebulae. A candidate event is the collapse of the EVE Gate. The collapse of wormholes generate significant gravimetric radiation detectable even by non-specialized capsuleer vessels. It is hypothesized that the much larger collapse of the EVE Gate produced sufficient radiative and kinetic energy to redistribute interstellar gas and dust, forming the observed nebulae.

Additional evidence is provided by the uniform green coloration of all Type IV nebulae. For example, DSN-4 has an estimated diameter of 8 light-years. Assuming a standard supernova expansion rate of 1,500 km/s (as calibrated using the Crab Nebula 800 years post-explosion) and applying the Sedov-Taylor solution, its age is estimated at approximately 17,000 ± 5,000 years. DSN-6, with a radius of approximately 4 light-years, yields an initial age estimate of 2,900 ± 1,000 years; accounting for dynamical friction from the preexisting Type III nebula in which it is embedded, the adjusted age is approximately 12,000 ± 3,000 years. These temporal estimates are consistent with the hypothesized timeframe for the EVE Gate collapse (~15,000 years ago). The uniform green hue may be indicative of gravimetrically-induced stellar collapse, a phenomenon not observed in other Type IV supernova remnants such as the Crab Nebula, but observed in the obviously-artificial explosion of Caroline's Star. It is worth noting that a similar theory has been proposed by Intaki astronomer Alnadil Jouber, however their model proposes that the collapse of the EVE Gate was caused by the explosion of Cloud Ring, and not the other way around ^[4]

Finally, the compact spatial scale of the New Eden cluster—approximately 105 light-years across^[5]—provides an explanation for the unusually high density of nebulae. No other known galactic region contains fifteen cataloged nebulae within such a volume. Based on this model, it is hypothesized that five original nebulae existed prior to the EVE Gate collapse, and the dispersal of material from that event produced the additional nebulae observed today.

On the topic of DSN-8, or Caroline's Star, several anomalous observations warrant detailed discussion:

Its apparent parallax varies between individual star systems rather than entire regions, despite the nebula being far too distant for such effects to be physically measurable.
It does not exhibit the expected perspective changes, even though its morphology is clearly rotationally asymmetrical.
The supernova event responsible for its formation was observed simultaneously across all of New Eden.
It is not detectable by standard CONCORD planetary industry monitoring arrays.
It is observable across nearly the entirety of New Eden, even through intervening nebulae.

CONCORD reports confirm that Caroline's Star underwent a premature supernova due to Talocan spatial manipulation. This provides a framework to explain its unusual properties: the nebula constitutes a non-Euclidean spatial phenomenon. Many of its anomalies—appearance in seemingly impossible locations and times, lack of expected parallax, and rotational inconsistencies—can be attributed to deviations from conventional Euclidean space-time.

One additional factor explains its invisibility to planetary industry monitoring arrays. Being a spatially anomalous feature, it does not emit detectable radiation in the normal electromagnetic spectrum. Capsuleer vessels, however, employ gravimetric sensors capable of reconstructing local environments. This gravimetric reconstruction enables observation of the nebula despite its otherwise hidden nature, analogous to visualizing structures outside warp tunnels.

These properties collectively indicate that Caroline's Star does not conform to conventional astrophysical models, and that Talocan spatial manipulation is a necessary factor in any accurate understanding of its formation and current observable characteristics.

Conclusion

This survey of New Eden's interstellar nebulae has established a comprehensive catalog of 18 nebulae, including previously undocumented objects such as the Little Citadel Nebula (DSN-12) and several single-system phenomena (DSN-13, DSN-14, DSN-17). The catalog documents a diverse range of morphological types, from molecular clouds and dust nebulae (Types I–III) to remnants of cataclysmic events (Types IV–V).

Analysis of nebular distribution, composition, and coloration suggests a common formative influence, with significant interstellar dust concentrated in the southwestern cluster and a discernible correlation between empire-aligned regions and nebular color gradients. Temporal estimates derived from expansion rates of Type IV nebulae support the hypothesis that the collapse of the EVE Gate played a pivotal role in shaping the current cluster environment.

Special consideration was given to anomalous phenomena, most notably Caroline's Star (DSN-8), which exhibits non-Euclidean behavior and demonstrates the observable consequences of Talocan spatial manipulation. Such anomalies underscore the need for gravimetric and multi-dimensional observational methods in capsuleer astrophysical research.

Overall, this catalog provides both a reference for capsuleer navigational and observational activities and a foundation for ongoing scientific investigation into the origin, evolution, and peculiarities of New Eden's nebulae. Further study, particularly of spatially anomalous objects and single-system nebulae, is warranted to fully understand the dynamical and physical processes at play within the cluster.

Acknowledgements

This survey would not have been possible without the support of Signal Cartel, Incorporated. Many fellow capsuleers assisted in the endeavor; special thanks to Jen Hoshi and Fritte Cornelius for their assistance in researching prior work.^{[Note 13]} Additional thanks are due to Bill and Bob Kerman, the scientists who assisted in the survey of the Citadel twin nebulae and who perished in a gate camp. Their contributions will be forever remembered.

Notes

↑ The personnel in question, Bill and Bob Kerman, are posthumously acknowledged for their contribution to the survey.
↑ The presence of pirate activity at a dedicated security installation remains unexplained.
↑ Questioning how or why they remain operational seems like an excellent way to invite attention.
↑ The black speck is a stargate.
↑ Yes, it was frustrating. No, staring at it from six angles didn’t make it easier.
↑ If a nebula does not have an official CONCORD designation, this catalog assigns a provisional name based on the nebula's primary region.
↑ Yes, it is located in the center of the largest civilization in New Eden. Yes, it is still not named officially by CONCORD. Welcome to New Eden.
↑ Should the reader look closely, DSN-8 may be visible shining through the center of the nebula. We do not discuss this further.
↑ This nebula breaks the preestablished provisional naming rules, as the Jove-inhabited regions are A821-A and J7HZ-F, neither of which are particularly useful as common provisional names. EVE Travel has also used this naming scheme.
↑ OOC: you need to set your shader settings to medium or higher to see it.
↑ Yes, four black holes and it barely glows. Physics apparently has a sense of humor.
↑ This is likely the most boring nebula in the catalog.
↑ Apologies to Jen: I apparently repeated work you had already completed in Impasse.

References

↑ /u/MacrophageNT (February 9, YC122). The Map of New Eden's Nebulae. Reddit.
↑ Mark726 (YC114). EVE Visible Nebulae. EVE Travel.
↑ Alistair Atreides (November 23, YC122). List of Nebula - Jita Astronomical Observatory. EVE Online Forums.
↑ CCP Games. (YC105). EVE Online [Video game]. CCP Games. Description of Cloud Ring.
↑ [deleted] (September 24, YC116), New Eden is "only" 105 light-years across. Reddit.