Shape of the VS Universe
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:37 pm
I am in the process of building some improved mapping tools for VS (mainly better visualization of statistical data). There I wondered what shape the VS universe has and whether or not it is feasible to project it down onto a 2D map. So I did some analyses:
There are currently 5702 systems in 58 sectors with a maximum extension of 1940.846233 x 2154.009431 x 1003.328731 (size in x,y,z-direction) in to me unknown units -- maybe light years. Sol was chosen as the origin of the coordinate system.
Attached is a plot of the spacial system distribution (projections).
What ones can see clearly in those plots is, that centered around Sol there is a sphere of great system density surrounded by another one of lesser density. The rest of the universe is a rather boxy structure of quite low but homogenious system density. Beyond that the universe is empty (apart from a few single solar systems in the remaining part of the box structure).
A 2D mapping for such a system distribution is clearly not feasible. Personally, I don't find the current shape of the universe to be very appealing.
I have heard that the VS universe is basd upon real solar system data, is that true? If that's is the case, there is the chance of extending the map, since today there are many more known positions of stars (speaking of some hundred-thousands). I know of the 2dF-Galaxy-Redshift-Survey listing already millions of galaxies.
Are there thoughts of making the entire VS universe generated procedurally? That could provide a more homogenious distribution and an arbitrary (virtually infinite) size, or at large scale a real galaxy like structure featuring sprial arms and all that (which I would really love to have). I have once played around with Perlin noise and some well chosen functions to make such a galaxy shaped, cloud-like structure featuring spiral arms, a core region etc.
There are currently 5702 systems in 58 sectors with a maximum extension of 1940.846233 x 2154.009431 x 1003.328731 (size in x,y,z-direction) in to me unknown units -- maybe light years. Sol was chosen as the origin of the coordinate system.
Attached is a plot of the spacial system distribution (projections).
What ones can see clearly in those plots is, that centered around Sol there is a sphere of great system density surrounded by another one of lesser density. The rest of the universe is a rather boxy structure of quite low but homogenious system density. Beyond that the universe is empty (apart from a few single solar systems in the remaining part of the box structure).
A 2D mapping for such a system distribution is clearly not feasible. Personally, I don't find the current shape of the universe to be very appealing.
I have heard that the VS universe is basd upon real solar system data, is that true? If that's is the case, there is the chance of extending the map, since today there are many more known positions of stars (speaking of some hundred-thousands). I know of the 2dF-Galaxy-Redshift-Survey listing already millions of galaxies.
Are there thoughts of making the entire VS universe generated procedurally? That could provide a more homogenious distribution and an arbitrary (virtually infinite) size, or at large scale a real galaxy like structure featuring sprial arms and all that (which I would really love to have). I have once played around with Perlin noise and some well chosen functions to make such a galaxy shaped, cloud-like structure featuring spiral arms, a core region etc.