“And when the day arrives I’ll become the sky and I’ll become the sea and the sea will come to kiss me for I am going home. Nothing can stop me now.” – Trent Reznor, Songwriter

26.11.yc117 D4KU-5 < Taurus Constellation < Fountain

I’ve just finished exploring and taking images of every planet in every High, Low, and Null Sec system in K-Space (Known Space) in all of New Eden! That’s 5,201 systems in 64 regions. Over 45,000 images. WITHOUT LOSING A SINGLE SHIP!!!

Sorry, just a little excited there. I’m sure you understand.

Completed! 26.11.yc117 (Nov. 26th, 2015)

When did it all begin? Let’s see…

Saisio III, Home

I started in my home system of Saisio in the Forge Region on 01.12.yc111 (December 1st, 2009). When I started out, my mind was set to explore every planet in every system in known space with the expectation there would be ship and pod losses along the way. Never once did I ponder the possibility I would make the journey loss free. At least not until I started around the north side of Null Sec and hadn’t lost a ship yet. Let me tell you, the pressure really started to weight me down as I got closer and closer to achieving not only the completion of K-Space but also finishing without losses. My paranoia ran high, my willingness to take chances became less and less, as that goal became a possibility.

I finished Empire space and started Null Sec in 07.yc116 (July 2014). That puts me having been in Null for a year and 4 months, only docking once during that time so I could join Signal Cartel. (In order to close my corp, I had to be in a station). I found a wormhole that lead me back to low sec, docked, then headed right back out again. That was 10 months ago and my longest stretch not docking during this expedition.

Real time it didn’t actually take me 6 years. I had two extended breaks in there. Actual time was about 3 years taking an average of about 10 minutes per system and about 6 systems per day. So, that’s probably between 850 and 900 hours. Add in time for image processing, uploading, blog entries, etc, total time was probably just over 1,200 hours invested in exploration of K-Space.

42 Jumps Home

Let’s see how far I have to go to get back home via the safer routes… yes, I’ve done the dangerous paths long enough, time for some easy sailing, don’t you think? 42… 42? … The answer to life, the universe, and everything? … No words, just no words. Don’t question the universe! 🙂

And now… I’m just thankful to be back home in Saisio. My hands are shaking, my knees are weak, and I feel like I’m going to throw-up. I think my pod goo needs a change.

So, if you think it’s impossible to explore New Eden without losing a ship… think again. With planning, persistence, and a lot of luck, it can be done.

PS: Once I get my space station legs back in my Captains Quarters, I’m going shopping! Thinking maybe a new outfit and a new pair of shoes. Time for a portrait change, don’t you think? Then after a break for the holidays, on to W-Space (Wormhole Space).

Fly Clever and Happy Holidays!

Jester’s Trek at D4KU-5 VIII, the LAST PLANET!!!

“Walk, walk till you reach the end of the road, where all of your dreams await.” – Unknown

22.11.yc117 7-692B < Sword Constellation < Outer Ring

TQ-RR8 V

Well… maybe not The final frontier since wormhole space has yet to be explored, but as far as Null Sec is concerned, it is. With Outer Ring and the rest of Null behind me that only leaves Fountain. Currently that puts me at 63 Regions explored comprised of 5,086 systems. I’ve been pushing myself hard these last few weeks in an effort to get back on schedule to complete Null Sec by the end of the year. The effort has paid off as I’m back on track and can now see the end in sight. Baring any unforeseen issues, the next milestone will be the completion of K-Space exploration, then on to wormholes.

1L-BHT I

With my thoughts turned towards Fountain, I can’t help but feel the experience will be somewhat of a haunting one. It was only just a couple of years ago when the Fountain War shook the corners of New Eden, costing millions in lives, billions in isk, and thousands of capsuleers in medical clones. The reverberations still echo to this day and I wonder what I’ll find as I work my way through the systems. I understand that there’s an effort to fund a novelization of the story and they’re collecting first person perspectives. So, if you were involved and want to share your story, you should look into it. Also, you can help out with funding if you’re so inclined.

You may be wondering why I, a peaceful explorer, would be interested in a novelization of such a tragic time in our history. The reason is simple, honestly, I feel in order to truly understand ourselves and our place in the universe, we have to embrace all aspects of the human experience. There’s no joy without sorrow, no hope without fear, no good without evil, and no beauty without strangeness. Only by learning from our past, can we venture forth towards our future and explore what’s before us.

Z-40CG XI, LBV-Q1 Gate

Here’s an interesting tidbit, as I explored Imperium Space, which has been mostly the North, I found it to be the most active Null Sec space I’d been through so far. It almost felt like Empire space with the many capsuleers going about their daily lives, especially in Deklein. Just about every other system I’d be asked what I was doing, where I was going, as well as being told I shouldn’t be there. Yet, for as many times as I was told I shouldn’t be there, I had 5 others wish me well, encouraged me, or told me they admired what I was doing. As odd as it sounds, I enjoyed my time exploring the Imperium. The experience wasn’t what I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised. There’s far too many shout-outs for me to give. I started to keep track, but couldn’t keep it up and I know I missed a few to write down. Instead, I’ll shout-out the Imperium as a whole and say thanks for noticing me, for warning me, and encouraging me.

C0T-77 X, P-NUWP Gate

Lastly, to keep this post in balance, I want to mention a new Google+ Community site called “Team Chroma, A Juried Showcase of EVE Online Fan Art”. You can read all the details on Mynxee’s blog Outlaw Insouciant, but the basic thought behind it is “a player-organized group of skilled artists who play EVE Online and enjoy creating original fan art of EVE-related subjects that have so far been left mainly to the imagination, particularly subjects taken from the Chronicles and other canon resources.” They intend to keep it a small but highly skilled and consistently productive group of 6 to 10 members. Currently the group consist of Salie Gaterau, Mynxee, and Rixx Javix. Sounds really cool and it should prove to showcase some truly great work. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes forth as there’s already some great stuff to see.

Images this week are favorites from Outer Ring. Here’s my current map. Almost there! Fly Clever!

Systems Explored as of 22.11.yc117 (Nov. 22nd, 2015)

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T. S. Eliot, Essayist, Poet

17.11.yc117 NG-C6Y < YFN-UN Constellation < Syndicate

That’s right, I just explored my 5,000th system…

…

…

Trying to find something to say…

Just no words, really. It’s a mind numbing number. Five thousand. It kind of rolls off the tongue. Has a nice ring to it. What can I say, I’m really happy to have made it this far and I can see the star light at the end of the warp tunnel. So, nice, so very, very nice.

Here’s the map, followed by some of my favorite images from Syndicate so far.

5,000 Systems Explored as of 17.11.yc117 (Nov. 17th, 2015)

3KNK-A IX, Moon 2, Trust Partners Trading Post

A9D-R0 VI

Poitot VI

UM-Q7F XI, 0EK-NJ Gate

UTKS-5 VI, A-ZLHX Gate

“We are travelers constantly moving forward and looking back. Alone, and as one, we have no choice but to try for our insatiable curiosity, for our fear of what should happen if we don’t. You are that explorer now. We will say goodbye and you will look back one last time and know that wherever you go we will be with you.” – Commander Shepard, Mass Effect: Andromeda

08.11.yc117 W-4NUU < Tinnimerci Constellation < Cloud Ring

((OOC: To say I’m eager to play the new Mass Effect: Andromeda when it comes out would be an understatement! Nice segue to the new frontier with Femshep passing the torch. Sweet!))

9-4RP2 I

Actually seeing the end of my exploration of K-Space in sight… I just have to pause for a moment. When I started this journey, I honestly felt I’d never get this far. I thought I’d stop and give up or I’d hit some region of space that would prove beyond my abilities to explore. Twice along the way, I did stop for reasons I’ve explained before. Once, with the loss of my father, was for over a year. That was the last break and when I returned in 01.03.yc116 (March 2014), I’ve not stopped since. Soon, I’ll be passing five thousand systems explored. 5,000 systems! Not long after that milestone, I’ll be done with K-Space.

PPG-XC V, Moon 1

Here’s a bit of interesting information. While exploring Empire space, I would always stop at a station and dock for down time. In a sense, it was a cushy way to fly, being able to explore a few systems, get some rest, shower, have a few drinks, then start again the next day. While exploring Null Sec over the last year, I’ve only docked once – it will be a year this upcoming December. The lawyers demanded an in person signature in order to dissolve my corporation and join Signal Cartel. Except for that one time, when I finished my daily exploration, I’ve had to find a safespot in space, shutdown my systems, and hope that I’m not found. No showers, no drinks, no easy way to stretch my legs. I think my podgoo needs a change… ewww. You’ve no idea just how forward I’m looking to docking again and visiting my captain’s quarters!

28O-JY IV, CX7-70 Gate

As for a mission update, I’m on track and still on schedule to finish K-Space by the end of the year. I plan on posting each week an updated travel map to show my progress as I close in on completing Phase II (exploring Null Sec). Check the map out down below for current progress and you can see my history in my Gallery at this click.

The End is near! (In a good way) Then my insatiable curiosity will take me to wormhole space.

Systems explored as of 08.11.yc117 (Nov. 8th, 2015)

“For myself, I like a universe that, includes much that is unknown and, at the same time, much that is knowable.” – Carl Sagan

01.11.yc117 ZJET-E < WMP-OF Constellation < Pure Blind

5S-KXA XI, Theta Appreciation Station

With less than 10% of K-Space (Known) left to go, I figured it’s time to make sense of the numbers. Looking at the upper right section of my blog, you’ll find my Exploration Statistics where I try to keep track of just how much I’ve explored of New Eden. There’s just one problem, ok, maybe two problems, they only reflect K-Space and they include several regions that are not reachable by capsuleers. Let’s go over just what I’m talking about.

HHK-VL II

In K-Space, there are a total of 67 regions which account for 5,431 systems as follows:
1,907 Empire Space
3,524 Null Sec
5,431 Total Systems

Explored as of today: 4,856 systems or 89.4% of K-Space

But wait! That’s not less than 10% left. What gives? I hear you ask.

There are unreachable regions on the east side of the map. Two Jovian regions: A821-A and J7HZ-F as well as an unknown region called UUA-F4 (Developers test region). In total they account for 230 systems. As it stands currently, we’re not able to explore those regions. There are no gates that connect us to them. Jump drives apparently are unable to reach as well. We don’t have the technology to build gates to connect to systems that don’t have corresponding exit gates on the other side. Rumor is, the technology is being developed, but until then, we simply can’t get to Jove space or the unknown region.

What’s that mean for my exploration of K-Space? Well, it means I’ll not be able to complete it fully. So, I’ll do all I can before beginning phase III which will be exploration of W-Space (wormhole).

Systems explored as of 1.11.yc117 (Nov. 1st, 2015)

The adjusted numbers will be as follows:
1,907 Empire Space
3,524 Null Sec
5,431 Total Systems in 67 regions
– 230 Unreachable systems in 3 regions
5,201 Adjusted Total Systems in 64 regions

Explored as of today: 4,856 systems or 93.4% of adjusted K-Space

But wait! That’s not all the systems in New Eden. You’re right.

As I’ve just mentioned, there are indeed more systems to be explored that can be reached and they are found in wormhole space. They’ll add another 2,498 systems plus another 101 newly discovered shattered wormhole systems and Thera for a total of 2,599 systems.

3QE-9Q VI, ZOYW-O Gate

All in all, everything that we know about New Eden can be found in 8,030 systems.
1,907 Empire Space
3,524 Null Sec
5,431 Total K-Space Systems
2,599 Total W-Space Systems
8,030 Total New Eden Systems

Now reality sets in. Explored as of today: 4,856 systems out of 8,030 or 60.5% of all of New Eden.

Just when I thought I was getting close to done…

ROIR-Y II, Sisters of EVE Bureau