G040
(Type A9 Ib star, 1 planet)
This enormous white supergiant would be the largest object for dozens of light-years in any direction... except there is an even larger white supergiant approximately 15 light-years to the northeast. There is virtually nothing within ten light-years that is not influenced by this monster. In particular, a class T gas supergiant, a red subgiant star (G041), and a red subdwarf star are all in thrall to this star, all in very stable orbits despite enormous distances separating the three objects from the main star. All are easily discernable even without a full mapping run of this system. G041, in particular, orbits G040 at a distance of almost a full light-year, completing a single orbit approximately every 9500 years.
Radiation, thermionic energy, and electromagnetic energy in this system are all almost certainly enormous, and like all large supergiants, it is probably incredibly unsafe to approach this star too closely. Metaphasic shields will likely be required within 10 million kilometers of its surface, and closer, even these shields will be of limited value.
Because this star is so large and relatively unmistakable, it, like G042, is a key navigational marker for this region.
G041
(Type M9 IV star, 2 planets)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. This red subgiant star is the largest companion of G040, orbiting the white supergiant at a distance of almost a full light-year. Long range sensors indicate that plantary formation in this system was badly stunted by the nearby supergiant, with only two fully formed worlds in this system, both containing only basic elements.
G042
(Class 4 Pulsar, Stable, 0.83 seconds period)
The only unusual thing about this pulsar is how aggressively normal and unremarkable it is. Most pulsars have at least one peculiarity that doesn't seem to quite fit the norms, but G042 is stable enough to have been manufactured. Like all pulsars, it is a neutron star approximately 16 kilometers in diameter, and is rotating, emitting pulses of radiation in the X-ray band every 0.83 seconds. Even the normal millisecond-level slowing that sometimes occurs in pulsars appears either not to be in operation here, or in operation over a long enough period that it is not easily measureable. Any planets this star may have had before its destruction are long since gone, either destroyed or gone rogue.
Should Task Group 5.4 remain in M64 long enough, it is likely that this pulsar will be joined by a subspace relay at some point in the future. Virtually every pulsar in Federation space has its attendant subspace relay, after all...
G043
(Type G6 IV star, 5 planets)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. Long range spectrographic scans indicate that this yellow subgiant star has at least one planet in orbit with complex chemicals present, specifically lithium, nitrogen, and silicon. However, at this distance, it is unfortunately impossible to glean any further information.
G044
(Type M8 IV star, 9 planets)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. This red subgiant star has a significant family of planets in orbit, possibly as many as eleven. Star occultation is significant, which points to the presence of one or more large gas giants in the system, something which is confirmed by spectographic scans, which indicate a large hydrocarbon presence. Other complex chemicals are also indicated, including possible liquid water. The oxygen signature, however, is oddly very low, which might indicate the presence of a frozen iceball or perhaps a class K planet similar to Mars where water once existed in abundance.
A white dwarf star orbits this subgiant at a distance of less than 15 million kilometers. In addition, a red subdwarf, G045, also orbits this star on the extreme edge of the system. Therefore, despite the relative coolness of the system's central star, the system's energy budget is borderline acceptable for the development of lifeforms. However, the system will need to be directly examined to determine whether life is present here.
G045
(Type M5 VI star, 1 planet)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. The red subdwarf here is in orbit of the nearby G044 system, and based on mass readings, may have managed to capture one of that system's more outlying planets.
G046
(Type M2 II star, 11 planets)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. This large red giant star is far and away the largest and heaviest object in the grid, and has a substantial impact on virtually every other star in the area. It is also the center of what is probably the most complex system in the immediate area, with at least 11 planets and two stars in immediate orbit. Spectrographic scans reveal an abundance of complex chemicals in the system, including hydrocarbon compounds, helium, and crystalline silicates.
There is no indication of nitrogen or oxygen in the system, making the likelihood of life in the system very small; however, it is possible that this is a relatively young system and that lifeforms have simply not yet had time to develop. G046 is theoretically hot and bright enough to support lifeforms, but of course red stars grow dimmer with age. More research is called for.
G047
(Type F6 VI star, 1 planet)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. Mass readings for this system indicate that there is probably a planet or two here, almost certainly one or more class I asteroids. Spectrographic scans are inconclusive.
G048
(Type M3 IV star, 3 planets)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. This red subgiant star has three planets in orbit, at least one a gas giant. However, few complex chemicals are in evidence, probably pointing to the fact that the remaining two planets are either also gas giants or are of higher order classes (H, I, J) and of little interest. Two nearby stars, G049 and an orange subdwarf, are in extended orbit around this red subgiant, though the orange subdwarf's orbit appears to be quite unstable and decaying over the course of several million years.
G049
(Type K0 V star, 4 planets)
This system has yet to be explored or scanned. G049 is in an extended orbit of the nearby red subgiant G048. Not quite a binary system, the two stars nevertheless have a significant impact on each other and on their orbiting planets. Mass readings taken from this system indicate that the planets here are relatively light, probably comprising the mid-range classes (E through K), but without a closer scan, it will be impossible to determine specific types, masses, or characteristics.
Interestingly, this star appears to be having an undue influence on a nearby orange subdwarf star, though the red subgiant is probably affecting it as well. The result, however, is that the two stars are slowly moving toward each other rather than away. In several million years, some sort of stellar collision or cascade event is probable, either with this system or with G048.