Not much exploring today but a lot of travelling and distance covered. We passed through a nice planetary nebula, CD-23 14350, where I took the Dolphin out for a bit of fun (pictured here silhouetted by an eclipse).

The Box Nebula is high up and worth a visit but easy to get stranded there. Caution is required.

Today was very mixed. We passed a few sights. The Red Spider Nebula and the Cinnabar Moth Nebula were notably underwhelming. Maybe it's because there are no nearby stars to get close, but they are not great sights. CSI-19-18107 however, doesn't even have a special name but it is a delightful little planetary nebula with just two stars and a ringed planet. The green veil around the system is just tranquil. I gave it the name, Willam Blake's system for its green pleasantness!

The glowing green giant at Bleia Dryiae HF-W b35-1 is our stop for the night. It really does shimmer. Green is the order of the day clearly.

Heading back up to the galactic plane the star density is quite low, so no major discoveries. Some more routine exobiology along the way though. I met up with the fleet carrier at Bleae Thua YE-H d10-29 and did some more sampling here. Kathryn had parked at planet 10, a gas giant with three shepherd moons in a ring almost 28 Ls across. She likes to have nice views from the bar!

For a place that is really quite close to Sol, the Spare-Tyre Nebula has a wonderfully remote feel to it. Added to the fact it is very pretty! I could stay here much longer if it wasn't for the fact that, apart from stupendously majestic views, there's not a right lot to do here. Don't let that put you off from visiting though - it's well worth it.

We parked overnight precariously perched alongside the twin neutron stars at HD 160167. Giulianna, the bartender was squinting all evening as they shone through the window of the pilot's lounge - she spilt even more drinks than usual!

Whilst I did a spot of exobiology sampling, Kathryn took care of guiding the fleet carrier on it's journey to the Spare Tyre Nebula. The last leg of that trip I hopped on board as our destination for the night is not reachable by conventional ships.

There was a scary moment along the way at Aucoks UZ-X D1-13 when I dropped out of hyperspace between three stars just 50Ly apart. There were a total of five in the system, but these three were unusually close. The ship sustained some damage, but survived thankfully.

Moving on from Coalsack, there are more colourful things to see today. Antares is a huge red supergiant and worth a look. Kathryn parked the carrier near the B star so none of the crew got to see the sight as it's quite a way away. Nor did they see the R CrA Nebula or the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex which are each a few hops away.

R CrA is a lovely little nebula that makes a striking colour contrast with the blue of the stars.

We are still relatively close to Sol, so not many new discoveries. Next, I'm heading to Parrot Head by ship where I'll meet up with Kathryn and the crew as they make their own way there. See if I find anything on the way.

Coalsack Dark Nebula. I've a feeling I've been here before but I don't remember. Probably because it appears to be, on the whole, uninteresting. Unless you're Xeno-phobe that is.

Time to move on. Nothing more for me here I think.

It's not really an epic trip, but we, on The Fat White Tyke, are setting out on a little expedition to a decidedly unremarkable Nebula - or that's what it looks like.

The Lavender Nebula does sound quite pretty but its main claim might be that it's the midpoint of the triangle that is made by Sol, Colonia and Sagittarius A*.

It sits in an area that is fairly unexplored in relation to star density so some fun discoveries might be there to be made. It is however, only 16,000Ly from the bubble and not that far away from the busy routes to Colonia and Sagittarius A*.

The plan is to get Kathryn, the deck officer, to jump The Tyke to some known attractions along the route whilst I, and anyone who tags along, take the slow route and meet up with the carrier at these rendezvous points. If we get space crazy, we can always sit in the bar on the fleet carrier and enjoy the ride. Yes, Giulianna the bartender is coming along, together with Vista Genomics boffin Charlene, Refueler Aryana, Katrina for Repairs, and Restocking by Raymond. Analise will look after any spare ships and Rayna will store modules.

After staying and exploring around the Lavender Nebula, the return journey will, most likely, be direct with few, if any, extended stops.

This is a relaxed and informal trip, there's no fixed timetable. If you join us at any point, please make yourself known and we'll make you very welcome. Progress will be slow so catching us shouldn't be a problem.

Down in the Tritium Depot, Philip likes to plan in minutia. He's plotted out a course and fuel use here: Route and fuel spreadsheet

Updates will also be in a channel on the Fleet Carrier Owner's Club discord.