How to identify surface objects & celestial bodies (3 ways).

A useful images & links to understand type/class of surface objects & celestial bodies before visual contact by 3 ways:
1) Sound/+ signature.
2) HUD icons.
3) System map pictures.

Surface objects & celestial bodies identification by sound &/or signature.

If you have wave scanner (mounted in SRV), discovery scanner & detailed surface scanner (the 2 latter are ship-mounted), you can scan surface objects & celestial bodies.
But, in order to identify their type/class before close visual contact, you will need to hear the sound they emit.










Here are the links clearly showing both objects/bodies signatures & sound they emit when passively scanned (thanks to CMRDs Akira & SHELLSTROM):
1) For surface objects[www.wavescanner.net]. Mark the object which signature you want to see & hear, then press "play" button. Multiple objects can be shown on scanner.

2) For celestial bodies[www.objectscanner.net].


* The celestial body will only emit a sound after you lock it as a target in supercruise mode:

Celestial bodies identification by HUD icon.

However, it can be difficult to hear the sound emitted by celestial body & separate it from others.
That's why CMDRs ColdGlider & Jonuss have recently compared celestial bodies' HUD icons with their type & class, and made a table (original link). Now you can understand the celestial body's type & class even before reaching scanner range, just by looking on your target display.
* HMC means High metal content.


* The HUD icon of celestial body appears only when you lock it as a target in supercruise mode:

Celestial bodies identification by system map / All bodies types, classes & scan rewards.

Here's the scheme of all celestial bodies as they shown on your system map, with types, classes & scan rewards (* relevant for v. 2.3; original link[forums.frontier.co.uk]; credits - CMDR Fru):

Notes:
There are 3 types of rewards for scan, depending on your equipment. The order is from the cheapest to the most expensive:
1) Honk (no scan) - passive scan of system/celestial bodies with no scanners installed on the ship.
2) ADS (scan) - manual scan (using fire group) of system/celestial bodies with Advanced Discovery Scanner (has system-wide range).
3) ADS + DSS (scan) - use way "2" + Detailed Surface Scanner (works only if celestial body is locked as target).

* A2-format, combined schemes.

1) I've combined celestial bodies' HUD icons with their system map pictures & scan rewards, - in 1 scheme[vk.com]. It has A2 suitable format (white borders of paper) & layers structure; so feel free to print/change it as you like.

The result is this:

2) Celestial bodies' HUD icons chart (with layers): https://vk.com/doc123057296_487716595?hash=215c77f49a65ea473e&dl=24d0c2549be9fe2de9.

[Demiorg]

Links updated, free permit now.

[Demiorg]

Sorry for tardy reply.
I will revise the permit on links, although Beyond: chapter 4/v. 3.3 made this guide almost useless.

[John2022[FR]]

https://vk.com/doc8546025_451269615
https://vk.com/doc8546025_451269609
Both send this message:

Error
This document is available only to its owner.


Btw, nice guide. Good work. Thanks.

[REDBowl]

thx! nj

[Demiorg]

Guide restructured, schemes updated. Added A2-format, layered (.psd) combined schemes.

[Demiorg]

Here's updated Planet identification guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/65stlf/23_planet_identification_guide_update_231 . I'll add changes to my guide & include some posters ASAP.

[JP_Russell]

In the planet identification guide, row 3, column 2 apparently can also be an atmospheric HMC. BD+40 2208 1, if you'd like to confirm.

[Demiorg]

AnandPrimeGames,
You can upgrade your Detailed surface scanner through Bill Turner to reduce scan time.

[Anthua]

been exploring for a while now .... i am losing my mind for each detail surface scan i take...

[TiMmY^^]

You are amazing!