Introduction

Stellar Cartography
The stellar cartography database utilizes a hierarchical arrangement of interactive maps to assist the user in finding a specific locale in known space. Depending upon what scale a user wishes to look at, the map interface can guide you from one scale to another through simple point-and-click, or by pull-down menus if you have a destination in mind. There are four scales from which to choose from, and each successive smaller scale provides more detail than the previous scale. From largest to smallest, the scales are: Galactic, Local, Sector, and System. Each are outlined below, and each can be accessed from either the main astrometrics page, or from any of the four map interfaces. Note: This map interface is designed for star charting and cartographic analysis only. It is not intended as a navigational tool.

Coordinate System

Due to Starfleet's origins on Earth, the galactic coordinate system used by the Federation is Terra-centric. That is, the position of Earth's star system relative to the galactic core forms the reference point for modern stellar cartography.

The galaxy is divided into four different quadrants: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. In turn, each quadrant is divided up into nine smaller “pie-slices”, known as subquadrants.

The border between the Alpha and Beta quadrants occurs at the interface between subquadrants 1 and 0. This interface is composed of a line that extends from the exact center of the galaxy through the sector that contains Earth's star system, Sol.

There are 36 subquadrants designated with a single number or letter starting from the alpha/beta quadrant interface, and moving around the galaxy in a clockwise fashion as seen looking down from above the galactic plane.

In addition to subquadrants, the galaxy is also divided up into sector zones, whose circular boundaries lie in increments of 10,000 light years from the center of the galaxy. There are ten such boundaries, numbered 0 through 9. Zone 0 is the galactic core, and although technically divided up into the 36 subquadrants mentioned above, the enormous gravimetric forces in the core are so great and in such a constant state of flux, that navigation in this area (let alone stellar cartography) is not possible by any known means.

The perpendicular intersections of sector zones and sector subquadrants comprise the corners of semi-cubical blocks of space known as sector grids. The galaxy is theoretically divided into 360 sector grids.

Like navigation on earth, where directional references such as north, east, south, and west are required to determine a location in the surface, the galaxy too has similar such references. However, instead of using the Earth's axis and direction of spin as a reference, the direction towards the galaxy's core, as well as the direction in which the galaxy spins, serves as the galactic directional references. Additionally, to determine the locale within three dimensions, the direction towards the galaxy's core from earth establishes the Galactic Plane. At any one position in the galaxy, there are six distinct directions in which to determine the locale: four radial directions (as seen when looking down from above the galactic plane), and two axial (as seen from the side or “galactic disc”. The four radial directions are Coreward, Rimward, Upspin, Downspin, and the two axial are Zenith (up) and Nadir (down).

The Earth sector is located at the crux of four galactic sector grids: 05, 06, 15, and 16. The Earth sector is also located at the intersection of eight sector quads within those grids, that being 99, 95, 79, and 75 above the galactic plane, and 24, 20, 04, and 00 below the galactic plane.

Galactic Map

The Galactic Map provides an overview of the entire galaxy by breaking it down into quadrants, and overlays the sector quads. Since most of the galaxy is unexplored, further detail of most sector quads are not available. However, there are five locations in the galaxy that can access the Local Map Interface, and these areas are outlined in the Galactic Map. Simply move the cursor over these outlines areas for further information (found in the upper left corner), and click to zoom to the local map. Note: Not all local maps are currently available.

Definitions: Galaxy, Quadrant, Sector Quad, Galactic Rim, Galactic Core, Light Year

Local Map

The Local Map Interface utilizes a specific set of stellar charts from a particular galaxy exploration database. Usually, the local maps will indicate the borders of each of the major sovereign political governments known to exist in the area. These maps can range from a few hundred to a few thousand light years in size depending on the database. Because the maps show only the top two-dimensional view of the local area (the “radial” view), a secondary metric to the right of the map shows an expanded third-dimensional view (the “axial” view) of each select-able sector block on the radial view. This axial view highlights four sector blocks above and below the galactic plane, one of which must be selected after the two-dimensional sector block is chosen on the main radial view map.

Definitions: Sector Quad, Sector Block, Galactic Plane, Quadrant, System (Star), Light Year

Sector Map

The Sector Map Interface provides a detailed overlay of a chosen sector block (approximately 100 cubic light-years in size within Federation space). The number of major star systems in each sector block will vary greatly, but each will contain exactly one hundred sectors from a top-down point of view. Due to this point of view, only a 25-sector grid is visible, though there are 4 layers of sectors underneath one another. The numbering scheme for each sector is from left to right, and top to bottom for each layer. Thus, sectors 1 through 25 comprise the top layer, sectors 26 through 50 the second layer, sectors 51 through 75 the third layer, and sectors 76 through 00 are the bottom layer. To see the sector number of a star system, as well as the name, simply move your cursor over the yellow icon (dot). You may then click on that icon to switch to the more detailed Planetary System Map of that star. Note: The sector map interface displays charted star systems only, and of those systems, only main sequence stars and larger are displayed. Unless otherwise indicated, dwarf stars and other minor astronomical phenomena are considered outside the scope of this map interface.

Definitions: Sector Block, Sector, Yellow Icon (dot), Main Sequence Star, Dwarf Star, Light Year

System Map

The System Map Interface shows detailed information of the planets and star within a particular star system. Normally, the name of a star will also indicate the name of the system, but this is not always the case, especially if intelligent, indigenous life inhabits the system, or if the system is of strategic importance. An example would be the “Vulcan System”: While the star is named “Epsilon Eridani”, the main habitable planet is named “Vulcan”. Furthermore, the technical name of each planet in the the system is the name of the star with the Roman numeral of the planet's position in the system with respect to the other planets. However, as with the planetary system name, if intelligent indigenous life exists within the system, it may possess another name (eg, “Saturn” instead of “Sol VI”). This map interface utilizes detailed astronomical parameters regarding each planet and their associated star. For explanations of each parameter, either click on them in the System Map Interface, or choose from the list below.

Definitions: Luminosity, Stellar Classification, Size Classification, Energy Flux, Hot Zone, Cold Zone, Ecosphere, Heliopause, System Coordinates, Planetary Classification, Sidereal Period, Rotational Period, Orbital Inclination, Equatorial Inclination, Escape Velocity, Gravity, Surface Temperature