I remember checking some of this out once. The Traveller rules have stars
spaced approximately correctly. (Ie ave seperation in the range of a parsec
or two).
The problem is that the distribution of stellar types is such that the vast
majority of star are class M dwarfs. These require space based observatories
to locate if they are even a sector away!
At least it is fairly simple to determine stellar positions given a medium
sized (say 20 inch?) scope on a jump capable ship. Do a full 360 degree
photo survey. Do a Jump-1. Take a second set of photos. Run them thru the
computers to see which images moved and how much. Plot the positions.
Continue.
Black holes and neutron stars require a supernova to form. These require rather
large (and thankfully rare!) stars. I've seen estimates that place the lethal
radiation zone around a supernova at 15-30 parsecs. So a supernova would *kill*
a sector in all directions! The effects include what amounts to a massive
EMP. So unless your whole planet is using Fiber backup electronics...
We do have a small nebula down in the Aslan area. Except for the small
nebula ("planetary" nebulas) they tend to be sub-sector to sector size. It's
not surprising that there are so few in the mapped areas.
An old neutron star or a "brown dwarf" would have interesting possiblities.
A brown dwarf might be able to keep a small *very* close in planet warm enough
to be habitable. And it would be dim enough that it might not have been mapped.
This would make a great adventure....
"The pirate base *has* to be close! Those ships can only do jump-2."
"But there isn't anything that close..." :-)
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