How to Research and Contribute Black Hole Data

Background:  Logging black hole data is EASY (and fun!) - this guide details the methods available to research and contribute black hole (and associated) data to the Black Hole Suns project.  The two (2) methods that can be used to contribute black hole data are as follows:

Helpful Tips Before You Start:

1. There are two methods to find black holes on the Galaxy Map in No Man’s Sky.  The first is to “ask” Nada and Polo for the location of a black hole while onboard the Space Anomaly station.  This method is inefficient as it only directs you to one black hole at a time. You want to be able to see any black hole within your area in open space, so it is highly recommended to complete the “Atlas Path” mission.  Once you create a Star Seed for the Atlas and choose to create a new star system, the Galaxy Map will automatically show you where black hole systems are located.

2. Going through a black hole will damage the tech in the General slots on your starship.  It is not required, but a lot of black hole researchers set aside a ship for dedicated black hole research, and place the most technology possible in the Tech Slots, which DO NOT take damage when you go through a black hole.  It’s completely optional but it’s something you may want to consider as you become more advanced.

3. When it comes to recording black hole data, there is no right or wrong way.  The right way is the way that you are most comfortable with.  Some researchers write down the information on paper then transfer it online, others type into the form in real-time while they are playing the game, others take screenshots and then type the data into a spreadsheet after they collect a batch of data.  Whatever method or workflow that works for you is the right one!  You can always ask questions or share your methods on our Discord server (in the “bhs-researchers” channel).

GETTING STARTED

STEP 1: Upon navigating to the main page for the Black Hole Suns data site, you will be asked to log in.  We DO NOT make use of your email data.  The reason we ask you to log in is for troubleshooting purposes and also to make it easier to enter repeatable data as you will see in the next step.  Click on “Login” to log into the site using the 3rd party account that you prefer (example, Google, github, etc.)

STEP 2: After logging in, you will see 4 panes on the page:

STEP 3:  Enter your primary user/traveler details:

Following is a description of the “saved” fields for the Input Pane (1):

1. Traveler - This is the name that you want to use when you input data.  Consider it your player name, your researcher name, or whatever handle you want to be known by in the database.  There is no connection between the name you choose and any of your online accounts, so it can be whatever your want.  (Note: Names deemed to be of an offensive nature will be deleted, and any data will be assigned to the name “Unknown Traveler”.  Black Hole Suns reserves the final say in any naming convention matters).  

2. Platform - Choose the gaming platform that you are researching/playing on.  PC and XBox players share the exact same data, but black hole exit points are different for PS4 players.

3. Galaxy - The Galaxy you are currently located

4. Organization (Optional) - If you would like to associate your research efforts with a No Man’s Sky civilization, corporation, or recognized organization, choose from the drop-down list.  (Note - the source of the list is generated from the list of organizations in “Civilized Space” according to the No Man’s Sky Wiki.)

Method 1 (SINGLE):  Enter Data directly in the online web application

Enter the data for the black hole entry system.  Only THREE (3) fields are required, the rest are OPTIONAL::

After you input the data for the system that has the black hole, complete the same steps for the exit system:

Click “Save” to save your changes to the database.  (You can also use the “Delete” button to remove entries that you have created previously).

Method 2 (BULK): Multiple Black Hole Entries Using a Spreadsheet

1. Due to preferences or play style, many black hole researchers prefer to submit data in bulk.  As a result, a “bulk entry” template has been created for you to use for this purpose.  The template can be used by both normal and advanced users.  

2. After logging into the site, select the checkbox labeled “File Upload”.

      3.   Browse your system for the .CSV file with your bulk data, and click Submit.  [NOTE: Before  

clicking Submit, you can check your data before you upload it. You can check for errors by clicking on the “Check” button. You can compare your entries to existing data (example, checking for duplicates) by clicking on the “Compare” button. The “Verbose” and “Very Verbose” check-boxes give you two levels of logging for troubleshooting purposes if necessary.

If you do not already have your own copy of the Bulk Entry Sheet template, click on the Bulk Entry Sheet Download link, and you will be taken to the bulk entry sheet itself:

1. You need to use this file from within your own Google Drive account.  Be sure to choose File-->Add to My Drive so that you can edit the file directly.
2. There are two (2) tabs on the spreadsheet.  The first one is for data entry and the second one (“How To Use”) features full documentation for how to use and upload the bulk sheet to the database.