The Eeshorks AA-A h15 nebula, nicknamed The Anvil, is one of the earliest exploration discoveries, dating back to the "Age of Pioneers" around 3301-3302, when Commanders first began to explore far into the galaxy. It's located in the Norma Arm, some 17,000 light years from Sol, and in close neighbourhood to the Greae Phio AA-A h33 nebula, nicknamed the Greae Phio Stellar Forge. In fact, both the Anvil and the Stellar Forge seem to be part of a much bigger molecular cloud, which is currently in the process of active star formation.

As can be seen on the picture above, parts of the molecular cloud seems to have already collapsed some million years ago, giving birth to a vast amount of young, massive stars of types O, B and A. An intrepid explorer will also find the odd neutron star or black hole among this cosmic cradle.

The Anvil is an emission nebula, radiating in predominantly green, bluish and orange coloured gases, making the nebula abundant in hydrogen, helium and oxygen. Its features are visually enhanced by a number of dark and dusty areas within the cloud, much like the globules in the Eagle and North America nebulae.

This nebula is one of only two in the galaxy around which Reel Molluscs can be found in the galaxy, with the other being the nearby Greae Phio AA-A h33 nebula.

These large lifeforms are entirely harmless, and can be studied safely. They do emit spores, and electricity can be seen arcing between their two "discs", but these do not appear to damage ships. The molluscs will turn towards ships if they have their headlights on, and retreat if they are attacked - albeit very slowly.

Various Commanders have reported hearing "whale-like cries" if they shot at the molluscs with their ship's weapons. In the interest of peaceful science, the GEC discourages doing this; there is nothing to be gained from inflicting senseless harm on them.

Thanks to the high density of stars in the area, the nebula still holds many undiscovered or barely explored systems with many interesting features to discover, ranging from more or less exotic atmospheres to unmapped biological signals and varying degrees of seismic activity. These make the region a good destination for scientific or touristic endeavours both.

Travel information: There is a DSSA carrier, the "Void Crusaders", sitting nearby in the Greae Phio VK-O e6-4343 system, providing vital services for deep space explorers in the area.