Maia Nebula around the Pleiades star cluster
The Pleiades Nebula, also known as the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, and Messier 45, is an open star cluster located in the constellation of Taurus. It is 384 light-years from Sol.[1] Around the Pleiades star cluster is a reflection nebula. It is caused by dust reflecting the blue light of the hot, young stars.[2] The nine brightest stars of the Pleiades are named after the Seven Sisters of Greek mythology and their parents: Alcyone, Atlas, Celaeno, Electra, Maia, Merope, Pleione, Sterope (Asterope), Taygeta.
History[]
The region became a major focus of public and scientific attention in 3301, after it was discovered that newly-discovered alien objects were transmitting signals to the Merope system. Obsidian Orbital was constructed in Maia later that year, becoming the first starport located in a nebula and paving the way for further colonization. The discovery of Alien Structures and Meta-Alloys in the region provoked a brief gold rush and proxy-war between the Federation and Empire. Following additional Thargoid-related discoveries and encounters in 3302 and 3303, such as Thargoid Probes, Hyperdictions, and Thargoid Surface Sites, the Pleiades have borne the brunt of a Thargoid incursion that has destroyed Federal and Imperial military fleets, crippled civilian Megaships, and severely damaged numerous stations, resulting in thousands of human casualties.
List of Inhabited Systems[]
Pleiades Nebula Colonies[]
All systems listed below are located within an approximate 30 ly radius around Maia, the unofficial capital of the Pleiades.
| System | Allegiance | Stations and Surface Ports |
|---|---|---|
| Maia | Independent | Obsidian Orbital Darnielle's Progress Maia Point Moni's Hub Palin Research Centre Pavlou Keep |
| Asterope | Independent | Copernicus Observatory |
| Atlas | Independent | Cyllene Orbital |
| Celaeno | Independent | Artemis Lodge |
| Delphi | Independent | Donar's Oak The Oracle |
| Electra | Independent | Cavalieri |
| HIP 16753 | Independent | Goya Landing Liman Legacy |
| HIP 17225 | Federation | PRE Research Base |
| HIP 17497 | Independent | Bao Landing |
| HIP 17692 | Federation | Blackmount Habitation Blackmount Orbital |
| HIP 17694 | Independent | Hudson Observatory |
| HIP 17892 | Independent | Kamov Survey |
| HR 1183 | Independent | Arc's Faith |
| HR 1185 | Empire | Ceres Tarn The Indra |
| Merope | Independent | Alcazar's Hope Omega Prospect Reed's Rest |
| Pleiades Sector DL-Y d65 | Independent | Agricola's Ascent |
| Pleiades Sector GW-W c1-13 | Independent | Cornell's Garden |
| Pleiades Sector HR-W d1-41 | Independent | Malthus Terminal |
| Pleiades Sector HR-W d1-74 | Independent | Corrigan Terminal |
| Pleiades Sector HR-W d1-79 | Independent | The Penitent |
| Pleiades Sector IH-V c2-5 | Alliance | PRE Logistics Support Gamma Rix Depot |
| Pleiades Sector IH-V c2-7 | Independent | Borrego's Vision |
| Pleiades Sector IH-V c2-16 | Federation | PRE Laboratory TII Research Facility |
| Pleiades Sector KC-V c2-4 | Independent | Oort Orbital |
| Pleiades Sector KC-V c2-11 | Independent | Kipling Orbital |
| Pleiades Sector PD-S b4-0 | Independent | Ieyasu Dock |
| Pleione | Independent | Stargazer |
| Taygeta | Independent | Titan's Daughter |
Near-Pleiades Colonies[]
All systems listed below are located in an approximate zone between 44 ly and 175 ly outside of Maia. Most are situated directly between the Pleiades Nebula and the Core Systems.
| System | Allegiance | Stations and Surface Ports |
|---|---|---|
| 42 n Persei | Independent | Bennington's Rest PRE Logistics Support Alpha |
| Arietis Sector XE-Z b4 | Independent | PRE Logistics Support Beta |
| HIP 16813 | Independent | Sisters' Refuge |
| HIP 17044 | Independent | Dionysus |
| HIP 17519 | Independent | Pirate's Lament |
| HIP 19072 | Alliance | Cooper Research Centre |
| Hyades Sector AB-W b2-2 | Independent | Exodus Point PRE Logistics Support Delta |
| Pleiades Sector AB-W b2-4 | Empire | Noctrach-Ihazevich Research Facility |
| Pleiades Sector HR-W d1-57 | Federation | Cleaver Prospect PRE Logistics Support Zeta |
| Pleiades Sector JC-V d2-62 | Independent | Asami Orbital PRE Logistics Support Epsilon |
| Pleiades Sector OI-T c3-7 | Empire | Orcus Crag |
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Maia in-game description
- ↑ Gibson, Steven J.; Nordsieck, Kenneth H. (2003). "The Pleiades Reflection Nebula. II. Simple Model Constraints on Dust Properties and Scattering Geometry". Astrophysical Journal. 589: 362–377