The biological stratum araneamus was a new find for me on this particular world. The dome-like bubbles in the core and the sharp spike-like arms around the edge of it differ markedly from other kinds of stratum I have seen. Taken on Preou Aed AA-A e1 AB 3 a.

This black and gray patch of bacteria might feed on whatever's emitting from the large patch of geysers on a world that seems icy. Spotted on Preou Aed HS-B b13-0 6.

This mauve form of the biological tubus sororibus was another new find during this leg of the trip. The sweeping arc of the tubes topped by orange growths that look like flowers is relatively unique in my experience. The orange growths at the top aren't harvestable, but they are nice to look at. Taken on Preou Aed YF-F b11-0 B 2.

I reached the Exploration rank of Elite V this week -- the pinnacle of his exploration career. He still has a way to go scanning biologicals to get to Exobiology Elite II let alone V, but I don't need to worry about scanning for high value worlds everywhere I go anymore for the sake of raising Exploration rank. Taken aboard the carrier Snakes Den V8G-9XT near Preou Aed AA-A e1.

Another rarity was this electricae radialem green biological. There are other biologicals in the background, but the aura around this one drew me in for a closer look. Taken on Blooe Dryou SP-V d3-5 C 2.

Weeks 15 and 16 of the 4th Quadrant Expedition Leg 3 Middle Spiral ran from April 19th through May 2nd, 2024.