Navigational Hazards

"Starfog."

It is impossible to navigate in the Cloud Universe global cluster because:

the quarter million plus closely packed stars make space too bright;

supergiant stars cannot be used as beacons because their light is diffused and absorbed;

although the supergiants are powerful neutrino sources, this effect is smothered by too many neutrinos from too many other sources;

stellar closeness generates too many magnetic effects;

many stars are rapidly revolving multiples, orbiting each other on incalculably complex paths;

radiation keeps much of the interstellar medium in the plasma state, generating every kind of electromagnetic action;

there is synchroton and betatron radiation and nuclear collision;

rapid changes of gravitational potential cause uncontrollable precession and nutation;

cosmic radiation increases as Jaccavrie proceeds into the cluster;

the enormous production rate of novae and supernovae causes large numbers of undetectable neutron stars, rogue planets large meteoroids and thick dust banks.

But it is always possible to return to clear space by following a straight line.

Theoretically, it is easy to return from anywhere in London to Lancaster:

drive in any direction until you hit the M25;

drive in either direction until you hit the M1;

M1, M6, home.

 

I compare London to the Cloud Universe because I don't want to drive in either.