This session picks up after the absolute trainwreck (or should I say SRV-wreck) that was occured last time.

Proceeding onwards, soon with 14 jumps remaining, continuing basic scanning. I hoped that I could get a new SRV at a fleet carrier somewhere in or near the Pelican or North America Nebulae. If I couldn't I was considering making an emergency detour back to the bubble to get one then resuming my journey. It would put a big voyage there and back but if I split the nebula tour in two and took a quick break in the bubble I might be able to go the extra distance to NGC 7822, or perhaps I woild leave that until my expedition to the heart and soul nebulae.

Upon checking Edastro I found the nearest fleet carrier with outfitting to be in the Sadr Region so I redirected me route back to there. 14 jumps from current location making it only slightly further than HD 190021 which was 12 at the time.

Luckily enough I encountered an ELW on my route back to Sadr and stopped to map it. It was the smallest and lightest I had encountered yet with a 4,100km radius and 0.275 earth masses. It was only just over 200Ls from it's star.

I reached Sadr again. I docked in the asteroid base for a full refuel and restock. I sold just over 7 million in cartographic data. I got promoted to the exploration rank of Ranger. Unfortunately Sadr Logistics Depot had no outfitting so I had to go to Sadr itself and dock in the "Procrastinator" owned by CMDR Drego13. o7 Cmdr.

Well, as it turns out the scarab is included in the restock so I didn't need to come out here. However while I was here I sold my supercruise assist since I don't use it anymore, I also tried to swap out my advanced docking computer for a basic one but there was none in stock. I left tbe carrier in case it took off and left this session here.

HD 190021 was 385Ly (22 jumps) in the North America Sector. Once I got there I would be a few short jumps from the Pelican Nebula. I hoped to get there in one or (more likely) two sessions.

While mapping a type II gas giant I decided to check out it's lone moon since it was quite close to the rings. I mapped it and found 44 geo signals. How 44 signals generated on a body with a radius of just over 1,400km I don't know but I decided to land and investigate. The planet had many cyan valleys filled with ice. I landed at a geo signal in one of these, finding a landing spot was hard because of the extremely steep and jagged terrain, filled with hills and dips. The extremely low gravity and steep terrain made travel difficult but I discovered some water ice fumaroles here, my first ice fumaroles.

From here I decided to go down a cliff, deeper into a flatter part of the valley. The moment I saw how steep and jagged the cliff was I knew I was in for trouble. Unfortunately I didn't realize how much trouble until I got stuck in a crevasse. I couldn't get out and I was stuck there for five minutes so I consulted the scrolls of knowledge: the elite forums. I discovered my ability to use vertical thrusters and used them to get unstuck after what felt like an eternity. From here I dropped into a valley that would lead me to canyon floor, unfortunately I got stuck here too, for what felt like an eternity. I felt like Aron Ralston, when he got trapped in that canyon and had to bite his own arm off. My hull integrity dropped below 50% and I started to get anxious believing that all my work so far would be futile, right when I thought I was home free after escaping from that first chasm. It felt like a Sisyphean task that was slowly draining my hull integrity and sanity; I would gain traction, move forward a bit, get stuck, slide right back down. It didn't look far when I zoomed out the camera but I almost felt sure this slippery blue crevasse would be my SRV's final resting place; the torment of Tantalus. After some 20 minutes of floundering in this icy hell pit my hull integrity was 21% and my chances of getting out intact were slim at best, however I got the "controlled falling" achievement by spending a collective total of 5 minutes airborne in my SRV. Just as I was out and rolling down the home straight towards the canyon floor (after some 40 minutes of being trapped) my SRV exploded, and I respawned in my ship, defeated.

I learned my lesson:f̶u̶c̶k̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶s̶e̶ ̶i̶c̶y̶ ̶c̶l̶i̶f̶f̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶̶c̶r̶e̶v̶a̶s̶s̶e̶s̶ ,always check before you go over dodgy terrain.

This event and seriously slowed my progress, I still had 18 jumps to go. After this rather disheartening experience I mapped the ammonia world in this system and moved in to take some pictures just above it's rings. It looked quite beautiful and I got some nice images and a short clip of me cruising over the rings. I used to think these planets looked like a hellscape or perhaps one of those "class Y demon planets" from Startrek but now I knew that the real hell was that icy body and it's crevasses where the wreck of my rover now rests eternally: Veil East Sector YJ-A d25, the sole moon of planet 2. RIP.

Today continuing on towards the Veil East Nebula.

I found a lovely blue type I gas giant as the lone planet in a system, I decided not to visit because it was 14kLs out.

I found an icy body with a radius of 19,000km. That's almost twice the radius of the smallest type I gas giant (or as I call it, a gas dwarf) I encountered. It had a gravity of 2.20G so I decided not to land on it as it would take longer due to extra caution but I did go out to take a look at it since it was only 41Ls out (there was 3 other bodies closer, one of which was only 8Ls out)

I stopped for SRV excursions on two of the planets. 2 and 3 are very close together and provide some excellent views, especially with the lava spouts I encountered at geo signal 4 there. All in all I would recommend anyone going between Sadr and Veil East stop here for a break, Prooe Drye ZM-P B11-0.

I was now only 8 jumps away too.

As I got closer it started to look quite nice, enough to justify the journey. It didn't quite exceed Veil West but it did look better than Sadr. While this area certainly didn't lack views, it did lack fleet carriers, which is rather unfortunate.

Next time I will plot a route to HR 190021.

At the start of this session I joined the Lyra Eternal Legends squadron.

During my route planning I was conflicted. The Pelican Nebula was so tantalisingly close and it looked so beautiful that I considered skipping Veil East altogether.

I checked and found that Veil East was only 400Ly away, 22 jumps. This was fairly short so I decided to follow through with the plan and go there. I figured that I could reach there today and Pelican tomorrow.

So I lined up my jump as I left the Sadr Logistics Depot, the last permanent settlement I would encounter until T Tauri. I jumped past over the dark rings of the gas giant and began my journey, hoping I wouldn't regret my decision to go this way.

I soon found another type 1 "gas dwarf" with a radius of approx. 15,000km.

I saw a cool ringed icy body with a nice colour and low gravity but it was 41.5kLs away so unfortunately I couldn't visit although I would have loved to.

NGC 7822 had now resolved into a line of stars, all blurred together. Thw Pelican and Veil East Nebulae were large in the backdrop.

In one system I encountered a 1.4G planet with silicate magma. I decided to attempt a landing since I wasn't too far away from the logistics depot where I could respawn if things went awry. I was a bit nervous since this was my first "high G" landing. I felt much the same way when I tried planetary landing for the first time. I decided to go for it since it was still relatively low G and from what I'd heard all I'd have to do to make it out unscathed would be to take it easy.

Although the effects of gravity were more pronounced at no point did the landing prove hazardous. I deployed my SRV to examine one of the geological areas. While en route I didn't see a large, flat rock and accidentally ramped off it, I thought for sure that I was about to come to an abrupt and destructive stop. After investigating two fumarole sites I departed, now more confident in my landing abilities.

I found another type 1 gas dwarf, this one the smallest yet with a radius of 10,000km.

I departed the Veil West Nebula, still able to see it behind me and Sadr Nebula ahead of me.

In one system early on I encountered a micro type I gas giant (gas dwarf?). It had a radius of about 14,000km, smaller than the eight planet which was an icy body with a radius of about 15,000km. I checked the codex and found that this was the smallest I had encountered so far, approximately 2.2 earth radii.

I encountered little out of the ordinary. By now NGC 7822 was close enough to see the white line formed by the various supergiants near it, an artefact of a telescope error if I remember correctly (one of several it appears as there is a similar phenomenon near NGC 1333 that I encountered when examining nebulae for this route).

I jumped into Sadr and was confronted by the massive Class F supergiant. From here I looked around then proceeded to a nearby inhabited system to dock and sell my data.

I went to Sadr Region Sector GW-W c1-22 to dock in the Sadr Logistics Depot, an asteroid base in the ring system of a gas giant with water based life and also the only settlement I woulf likely encounter until another asteroid base in the T Tauri system of the Hind Nebula. The planet it's around is the only planet in this system. The station itself is controlled by the Sadr Operations Initiative, an independent faction based out of this station.

I got just over 1.6mil credits in data, still not enough to level up from Pathfinder.

Next up would be the Veil East Nebula, I will plot the route next time.

After finishing looking around the Dumbbell Nebula I plotted my route to Veil West Sector DL-Y d68, a system in the Veil West Nebula. It was 471Ly away and would take 26 jumps to reach. Considerably shorter than the 926Ly and 57 jumps it had taken me to reach my current location from the Helix Nebula (note if you are doing this route yourself skip the Helix Nebula, it's not worth it).

I launched from the Zygodactyl Tyrant for the last time and got ready ready to make my first jump of this next leg of my journey. I hoped to reach my target within 2 sessions (allowing for excursions and mapping). I took one last look at the nebula and it's shining white star as I jumped out and onto my route.

I soon noticed that my target was already well visible ahead unlike the two planetary nebulae I had encountered thus far which had both been invisible until I was closer by.

I made rapid progress as most systems I passed had only metal/rocky/icy worlds that were of little interest. I also noticed an abundance of Class K stars.

Eventually I was forced to stop and scoop. I investigated my route and found that while there was a few Class A stars in this area, my route was entirely Class M, K or G stars; mostly M. At least it was a short route with only 18 jumps remaining.

I was could now see the Veil West Nebula better and could also see the various other nebulae ahead. I also got some detail on the NGC 7822 which was now an orange circle with a vaguely line shaped object in it.

I saw some nice gas giants and noted that I had 10 jumps left.

As I lined up another jump I noticed that the Nebula looked a bit like a blue whale at this range.

With only 7 jumps left I made up my mind to reach it today. Sadr Nebula now also featured prominently as I lined up my jumps, I would either go here first or the Veil East Nebula after my current target.

Now that I was only 3 jumps away I could see a reddish cloud behind the nebula that I couldn't before. This was the most beautiful nebula I had been to so far and although I couldn't get within it like the Dumbbell Nebula it was still nicer looking from afar.

I was now right outside the nebula, my next jump would take me to the far side of the nebula, to an F class star that was the closest to the nebula but not quite in it.

I jumped into the final system to s beautiful red and blue vista. I docked at the "Baron Von Zoomski" a nautilus class carrier owned by CMDR Innefectualgamer. Although refuel was disabled I was able to sell over 700,000 credits of data here.

It was 538Ly, 33 jumps to Veil East. It was 470Ly, 26 jumps to Sadr. Looking at the galactic map I decided to go to Sadr first, the Veil East, then HD 199021 (just because it glowed on the map) then onto the North America and Pelican Nebulae.

I started out the final leg of the voyage in a system with a metal world very close to it's star. I got closer to get a look at the molten lava on its surface.

The next moment of note occured when I decided to try and identify some of stellar objects I could see from my system. I saw multiple glowy stars that looked like black holes, a strange orange circle and several nebulae. I through trial and error I eventually determined that one of the nebulae was the Elephants Trunk Nebula. I found this by selecting systems in various nebulae on the galactic map and seeing if they lined up with the nebula I could see. By using this method I identified the orange circle as the NGC 7822 Nebula, beyond the Elephants Trunk Nebula. I noticed a line of O class stars on the map here, I'd heard about this before and planned on going there some day but decided it was too far for my current trip. I was unable to identify the stars that looked like black holes as they didn't line up with any black holes nearby, I conclude that they must just be very bright stars nearby.

Continuing on, I found a system with 4 stars and Class III gas giant that was just 70ls from the main star. I took a brief detour to investigate this rather close gas giant and map it. From here it was just 9 jumps remaining.

I had now also visually identified the two Veil Nebulae, Sadr Nebula, LBN 623 and what I thought was the American and Pelican Nebulae. All future targets, but now my current target was within reach; 7 jumps.

Another very close metal world, only 15Ls away. 4 jumps.

As I stopped to briefly fuel scoop in my final system I could finally see the nebula, evidently not as large as the Helix Nebula which I could see from a few systems away.

I arrived and looked and the beautiful colours of the nebula. I investigated the closest planet then landed on a nearby carrier named the "Zygodactyl Tyrant" owned by CMDR Stoyben Xi. I made over 8 million credits in selling cartographic data and got several first discoveries including one first discovered system.

I would return another day to complete me exploration of this beautiful system.

Still travelling between the the Helix and Dumbbell Nebulae.

Most of this journey was rather boring at first, broken up the occasional mapping and one tour in my SRV where I climbed a mountain.

Eventually I started discovering my first previously undiscovered planets and eventually an undiscovered star system.

In one class A system (previously discovered and mapped) I found an earth like and 3 water worlds. I stopped here to map everything before leaving this session here, although not much happened I was now down to 17 jumps away from my target with some valuable data gathered.

The aim for today was to at least make it part of the way to BD+22 3878 at the centre of the Dumbbell Nebula, departing from where I left off at the Helix Nebula. 57 jumps, I take one last look at the Helix and line up my first jump.

I took a fairly significant stop to map some previously unmapped high metal content worlds.

I found a system with 2 helium giants, one of which was light in colour, differing from the standard red.

I mapped a metal rich body that was within 6.56Ls of its parent star. It was tidally locked to this class M star and had an orbital period of 0.8D. It had multiple silicate vapour geysers and I investigated one, obtaining some materials and nice pictures.

I ended the session with 41 jumps to go to the Dumbbell Nebula which was alright going for a relatively short session and several mapping/sight seeing stops.

This journey will be undertaken in an Asp Explorer, named "Rook". This ship is equipped with a 5B FSD, 3B AFMU, 3A fuel scoop, 1I DSS and a 2H planetary vehicle hangar (equipped with 1 Scarab SRV). The ship has a current jump range of 22.14ly.

This journey is planned to go through at least 12 nebulae and planetary nebulae including the Veil nebulae, North America Nebula, Pelican Nebula, Iris Nebula and Barnard's Loop. The journey can be extended or shortened as needed.

The first target is the Helix Nebula, aiming for system CSI-21-22270 via fastest route (I would normally select economical route but that route won't plot).

I depart from Feustel Gateway in 44 B Ophiuci after purchasing an AFMU.

I started out with about 40 jumps and by the time I stop to fuel scoop (with my tank about half empty) I have 34 remaining.

I stopped to try out my new DSS then when I refueled after this I had 24 jumps remaining.

In 10 Theta Piscis Austrini I saw a class A star and a white type T Tauri star.

I map an ammonia world. 9 jumps remain.

I enter Helix sector, 7 jumps.

I encounter a system with two water worlds and some high metal content worlds in eccentric orbits, 4 jumps.

The Helix Planetary Nebula is now in sight, 2 jumps.

I make the final jump with "we're finally landing" by HOME fittingly playing. Although it's impossible to get within the nebula it's still a nice sight. A small bluish-purple ellipse. I take some nice pictures with a ringed class Y brown dwarf and the nebula in the background.

I plot a course to BD+22 3878, the system at the centre of the Dumbbell Planetary Nebula. 57 jumps, 926Ly. A journey for another day.