Galactic topography



This page is the main page for all objects that will, can or could play a part in the "Stellar Zoo" Galaxy. That is, the things that make up the stellar environment in the space phase of Spore. Known Galactic Objects
 * Black Holes
 * Binary Systems -BinaryOO,BinaryOM,BinaryMM,BinaryOG,BinaryGG and BinaryGM.
 * Galactic Core
 * Proto-Planetary Disks
 * Planatary nebulae
 * Pulsars
 * Steve
 * Supergiant stars
 * Nebulae

Stars
Star systems are notable for being the areas from which the player zooms in to interact with a planet.

The stars themselves will likely serve various purposes in the various stages beyond determining the maximum T score, but the T score is the only effect that we know of. Stars may be able to be created with a gravity tool and may eventually be destructible.

Will Wright in Gaming Steve's interview said about the number of stars and worlds in the Spore galaxy:


 * "Oh, well, there will be probably well over a hundred thousand. I mean, far more than a player could ever visit. Which is why there is no point to having another galaxy. If there are going to be thousands of stars in a galaxy there is no way that one person in their lifetime could ever visit them all."1

Multiple star systems
Binary stars are simply two stars in stable orbit around a common center of gravity.

Binary systems will probably be in the game, as about a quarter of all star systems are estimated to have at least two stars. Star systems can be referred to as follows:


 * Single or unary star (Sol)
 * Double or binary star (Sirius)
 * Triple or ternary star (α Centauri)
 * Quadruple or quaternary star
 * Quintuple or quinary star
 * Sextuple or senary star (Castor)

Moons
It has been already shown in the 2005 GDC Presentation that moons are present in the game, orbiting planets. Colonization is possible. In one of the E3 2006 demos, a moon orbiting what appeared to be a gas giant was a viable biosphere with intelligent lifeforms, the Greevils.

Binary planets
It is unclear what sorts of planetary systems may be available in Spore -- there might be planets which orbit each other as well as their star.

Black holes
Black holes have been seen in the stellar zoo. What their function is or whether they can be visited or interacted with is unknown. Will Wright mentions in passing during one of the E3 2006 demos that with the proper UFO technology, black holes can be used as a method of transit (see Wormhole Key).

Wormholes
Wormholes are, as described in Wikipedia's article about wormholes, simply shortcuts through space time. Wormholes are included. In the E3 demos, Will Wright traveled to a black hole via UFO and circled around it. He said that once his UFO is technologically advanced enough, it can use the black hole as a way to jump around the galaxy, hinting that the black hole was acting as a wormhole (see Wormhole Key). The "interstellar drive" further reduces the need of a shortcut when you can already travel the length of the galaxy in seconds (in the increased timescale).

Nebulae
Nebulae are an important facet of the galactic landscape, and were mentioned in the GDC video. With the passage of time, they can change into stars or planets.

it seems like in the game, the nebulae is only a decoration to the galaxy.

Galactic core
Galactic core is a large black hole in the center of galaxy. Possibly to get there is the final purpose of the game. One of the ways you may get there is using spiral arm next to Sol system's one (anticlockwise), slowly drifting by it's outer edge. You'll need some time and decent amount of repair kits to survive while fighting with Grox. Additional information is in the Galactic Core article.