Neutron Star Phobia

[The Reality]

I haven't played for a long time. I'm exploring, about 17,000 LY away from Sol, heading towards the center using neutron stars. Last time I played, you were usually dropped very close to the star's exclusion zone, which was deceptively massive, and you couldn't see the exclusion zone indicator until it was too late usually. This led me to tense up incredibly when attempting to use one. Are they still like this? Has there been an update or is there something I don't know that might set me at ease?

[Dolphin Bottlenose]

The exclusion zone usually shows up very fast after dropping in. And you have enough of space for maneuvering. Just have a habit to 0-throttle before jumping in and you should be fine.

[The Reality]

Originally posted by Dolphin Bottlenose:

The exclusion zone usually shows up very fast after dropping in. And you have enough of space for maneuvering. Just have a habit to 0-throttle before jumping in and you should be fine.

In the case that I can't see it, how large should I assume it is? As in, how much of the jet cones are accessible? On average, I suppose.

[The Reality]

I'm actually staring at one now, and the thought of approaching is petrifying lol

[Dolphin Bottlenose]

Originally posted by The Reality:

In the case that I can't see it, how large should I assume it is?

Keep in mind that you can't see it when your throttle is at minimum.

Better don't assume anything, but turn your nose away from the middle of it. You still can guess the exclusion zone by some "cloudy" visual effects.

But don't worry much - you are being dropped far enough to maneuver safely. Just use the edge of a cone, and you will be fine.

[Arc]

Most Neutron stars are fairly small in size but the exclusion zone is massive so it is very hard to judge or guess where it is.
So like Dolphin said, best is to simply not try the chances and divert from the middle as soon as possible.

[piss drinka (real (no fake))]

I've just made my way to Colonia using neutron stars only. 0-throttle as soon as you jump in, at first you should go almost parallel to the star's "jet" to be sure you don't cross the exclusion zone, then go for the very end of the jet keeping you speed lower as you approach (i don't remember at which certain speed i entered jets, but it was lower than 0.1c, maybe 5-8 Mm/s). I suggest you point your nose in the same direction jet goes, star should be behind you. If you're not sure that the jet is long enough, enter it as far from the star as you can, at the point right at the end of it where it is barely seeable. According to my observation the fsd-charging zone is longer than the visible part of the jet.

[piss drinka (real (no fake))]

So basically the method i used was just trying to avoid the invisible death as best as I could, going as far from the imaginable esclusion zone as it was possible

[EngineerDoge]

I have never once fell into the exclusionary zone of a neutron star and I've been riding the neutron highway from the bubble, to Colonia, to Sag A, and now I'm close to Beagle Point.

The trick i use is when I jump into the system, I aim a little bit outward of the part of the jet that starts to look like a visable cone when the jet has a decent rotation (Average neutron star, not a calm or extremely violent one). Make sure to go for the jet that is closest to you where you jumped in. Slow down to around 5km/s to 10km/s and try to get parallel with the jet before dropping into it. Once charged, full throttle out of the jet and the jump away.


I practiced this quite a lot on my way over to where I am now, and now I can do it fluidly. Takes me less then 30 seconds to drop in, charge, and jump. (If I dont come in too fast and over jump the jet).

[Mr Robert House]

I'm 4 neutrons from colonia in my jump conda (which has a downgraded fuel tank and I really wish it didn't). Not once have I seen an exclusion zone but I guess that just means I was never particularly close to hitting one. Just aim for the end of the jet, and zero throttle until your supercharged, then power out of it and jump. Supercruise assist is nice to have when forgetting to slow down means almost certain death.

I will say, those mental neutron stars that spin rediculously fast are worrying as you approach them as the cone obscures your view quickly.

[Sapyx]

Here's how I use neutron stars to make sure I never hit the exclusion zone:
- Zero throttle before Arrival.
- On Arrival, work out which of the two jet cones "looks longer". I usually do this by rolling the ship until the cones point exactly left and right, and then see which one is pointing more towards the rear of the ship. The "longer" jet is the one that's closer to you. If they both look about the same length, then pick either one.
- Fly towards the tip of the longer cone. You will not hit the exclusion zone.

[Zzabur]

Originally posted by The Reality:

In the case that I can't see it, how large should I assume it is? As in, how much of the jet cones are accessible? On average, I suppose.

Neutron stars are very tiny, often less than 100km radius and even less than 20km (our sun is about 700 000km radius) but extremely dense and hot. It's fun to see how devs have handled jet cones, supercharging our ships, when you know such jet cones could vaporize Earth a few Ly away if it was on their way^^ I don't know which mats are used for our hulls, but it has to be really tough !

Also be careful about White dwarves which are even more dangerous than neutron stars in my opinion.

[Uriel]

Originally posted by FlamingHobo:

Slow down to around 5km/s to 10km/s and try to get parallel with the jet before dropping into it.

Just out of sheer curiosity, how do you do that ? As far as I can tell, the slowest one can travel in supercruise is 30 km/s. If you drop out of supercruise, then even the fastest ships can't go this fast :/

[Pctechnik]

Firstly, switch on orbit lines - it shows the exclusion zone.

Secondly, not to contradict Arc, but for me, I have found that neutron stars have a small exclusion zone and a large tail, White dwarfs however fit the description that Arc has put forward - also, both white dwarfs and neutron stars visually look the same... I switched off white dwarfs as a visitable star in the galactic map, I do not feel like I am missing much.

Thirdly, if you are in the bubble, practice with a cheap ship (needs a fuel scoop) at "jackson's lighthouse" before you go into the black.

[DextrousWeevil]

I'm deep into my trip to Colonia and at times there are 7 or 8 Neutrons in a row. You get over that phobia quickly.

Only thing is I only had the one AMFU. It's not enough..... looks like about the last third will be a loooong trip.

[Pctechnik]

Originally posted by TOG|DextrousWeevil:

I'm deep into my trip to Colonia and at times there are 7 or 8 Neutrons in a row. You get over that phobia quickly.

Only thing is I only had the one AMFU. It's not enough..... looks like about the last third will be a loooong trip.

If you have the materials, you should be able to synth "ammo" for the amfu. perhaps you can stop off if needed at one of the many stations along the way and buy rearm - failing that, get an srv, and shoot a few rocks for the materials needed for a few refills.