with pulse wave scan, yellowish asteroids tell you that...

[clif9710]

I'm at a hotspot for serendibite. When I use the pulse scanner I see the yellow tint on some asteriods that tell me I should check them out. I know that a certain kind of cracking that appears on some is a clue that exploding the asteroid will be productive, but what does the yellow tint mean in itself? I've deployed prospector limpets and it isn't related to the yellow ones being high in content as they can also be low in content. It doesn't seem to mean they contain anything particularly valuable as the prospector limpets often report zilch of value in a yellow asteroid.

All I have figured out so far is that yellow means a possible "cracked" asteroid that has the goodies I want, but it doesn't guarantee an asteroid is cracked.

Bottom line - what can I get from mining a yellow colored asteroid that is not cracked (most aren't) that I can't get from a non-yellow one? Is yellow simply a "check this one for cracking" signal?

[Brew]

There are several different types of possible deposits on a rock. Yellow just means there are some of the "special" deposits: surface, subsurface, and/or core. You need special mining tools to extract the minerals from these special deposits (abrasion blasters, subsurface missile launchers, seismic charge launchers). If there is no yellow glow, then the rock has just the "standard" content, for which you use the plain vanilla mining lasers to extract.

Yellow means more sources of minerals from the rock, and the engagement of some of these more specialized tools to exploit them, but doesn't guarantee that any of those special deposits includes a core.

[clif9710]

Thanks, that nails it.

[Greg]

Also the listings of "High" "Medium"and "Low" content is only for the minerals and metals that can also be mined on the surface of a body with the SRV. These are Carbon, Iron, Nickel, Vanadium, Cadmium ect. A rock with a listing of low content can also be filled with a high percentage of whatever you are looking for. Once you have figured out how the listings are presented it should have a more pleasant mining experience.

[clif9710]

Originally posted by Greg:

Also the listings of "High" "Medium"and "Low" content is only for the minerals and metals that can also be mined on the surface of a body with the SRV. These are Carbon, Iron, Nickel, Vanadium, Cadmium ect. A rock with a listing of low content can also be filled with a high percentage of whatever you are looking for. Once you have figured out how the listings are presented it should have a more pleasant mining experience.

Thanks Greg, I didn't know that, and I also just discovered that all the bodies in a system share the same level of reserves (low, common, pristine, etc.). I'm still trying to master the ability to see the surface cracks that indicate goodies inside.

[Greg]

Correct. Too add...the further away from the "bubble" you are the better chance you will have simply because of less space traffic.

Also unless it has changed, the shape of the glowing rocks makes a difference. I always stay away from any "tightly shaped" formation with a "smooth surface." For instance a "baseball" or "football" shape with a smooth surface is a no go for me.

If the rock is oddly shaped with "towering" landscapes or has a "rocky" surface and it has a bright yellow glow that is a good sign. Sometimes the bright yellow glow will suddenly change to an "eerie dark green." In this case it is going to have some type of core mining properties.

PS: "American football shaped

[Planewalker]

Originally posted by Greg:

Sometimes the bright yellow glow will suddenly change to an "eerie dark green."

-this.
It's a really short "scan blip" that kinda looks like the scanwave gets reversed.
(once you learn to recognize it, it becomes fairly clear)
-it signifies significant core contents.

[clif9710]

I've found that if red is mixed with the yellow an investigation of the asteroid is a good idea.