planetary exploration (possible spoilers...kinda but not really)

crazypumpkin · Post by **crazypumpkin** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:31 am

First off I want to thank everyone who has helped explain this complex game to me. And now on to my next issue...exploring planets.

I took on the first storyline objective...to explore Erato II for a beacon near the city that would activate upon coming into contact with it when holding 15 or more units of elec. I'm also told it is at an elevation of -14100

But....where do I go from here? My ship even at around 1000 or full throttle, seems to be moving at a snail's pace and I cannot use my afterburner or atmospheric friction blows up my ship. So I figured I'd look at my radar, but it is still focused on space rather than planetary exploration. Is there a secret method of finding such points of interest that I do not know of? I feel as if unless I speed up my ship someway there is absolutely no way to relaly be able to explore anywhere except to the city and up and away.

OK well thanks for the past help and continued assistance. Any help finding this object as well would be welcomed

Just as an aside--I hired a science officer who notifies me of containers that have a bearing of some three digit number and another smaller two digit number. Whereas waypoints (which I know how to look up and search) tend to be much larger. What do I do to interpret and travel to these bearings?

thanks

~CP

wolis · Post by **wolis** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:12 am

Follow the purple blip on your radar.

When your close to the place you think some cargo or beacon is (correct me if Im wrong) your radar will show a purple blip.

As for the science officers advice.. its coord relative to your current location.. so try not to move when you receive them!

Just rotate watching that compass 380 degree thingo at the top of your screen, then press H several times until you see your 'pitch tape' that show how far up or down you are. When your aliigned to those coords.. kick in your thrust and inertia and just cost on until you see the blip on your radar again.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:14 am

Originally posted by wolis
Follow the purple blip on your radar.

When your close to the place you think some cargo or beacon is (correct me if Im wrong) your radar will show a purple blip.

Sometimes right, sometimes wrong.

Sometimes, you have to trust only your eyes...

crazypumpkin · Post by **crazypumpkin** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:53 am

However I can't seem to find any purple dots on erato II. is there somewhere I should go or maybe does anyone have any coordinates? Im just in the dark about how to find this beacon. It seems like ive circled this planet forever...and quite slowly i might add!

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:03 am

It is not that difficult, I think you are unlucky.
Check your U2U...

Nphyx · Post by **Nphyx** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:34 am

Planets aren't to realistic scale, I've flown completely around one while mining in 20 mins or so. It's not *that* big a deal. You can pump all your energy into shields and tap your afterburner if you're careful to get up to about 1200-1300. Just be careful and watch your shield level, give it a rest if it gets low or you will explode very quickly.

crazypumpkin · Post by **crazypumpkin** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:26 pm

Hmmm...thats a good idea. I'll do that later tonight and see how well I fare. Now...as I get closer to this mark will a purple dot appear on my radar or am I still going to be searching relatively blindly?

And forgive me but....what is a u2u?

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:12 am

Originally posted by crazypumpkin

And forgive me but....what is a u2u?

Upper right corner, press U2U, personal message system...

I sent to you a message already, yesterday actually...

Good flying...

[Edited on 2-27-2009 by warsign]

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:57 am

U2U is an internal messaging system within the forum. U2U is short for "You to you".
Each & every member has an assigned U2U and easy access is provided at the bottom of every post. When a U2U has been sent, the U2U block at he upper right as pointed out by Warsign will "flash", indicating that someone has sent you a message. Clicking on the flashing icon will open the folder.
You can access any members U2U simply by clicking on their name as well.
To reply to a U2U, simply leave the "reply" box ticked and click on "submit".
Hope that explains it.

[Edited on 2-27-2009 by MMaggio]

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:28 am

Originally posted by crazypumpkin
Hmmm...thats a good idea. I'll do that later tonight and see how well I fare. Now...as I get closer to this mark will a purple dot appear on my radar or am I still going to be searching relatively blindly?

'fraid the beacon only appears on visual sensors (eyes)

Also you should note that you ship changes to 'atmospheric controls' when on a planet, it can be a pain adjusting for this, but once you've done you'll find there aren't many locations the beacon can be

[Edited on 2-27-2009 by verbosity]