Exploration in EVE Online is one of the most accessible, profitable, and adventurous careers you can dive into from day one. At its core, exploration is the act of using scanning probes to locate hidden sites scattered throughout New Eden—sites filled with valuable loot, forgotten relics, and encrypted data. Whether you’re unearthing ancient ruins or slicing into secret data vaults, the rewards can be high, and the entry cost is surprisingly low.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started: the tools, the ship, and the scanning process. You’ll be flying through space and cracking open containers before you know it.

What You’ll Need to Start Exploring

To begin your journey into exploration, you’ll need the right equipment:

• Core Probe Launcher
• 8 Core Scan Probes
• Relic Analyzer (for relic sites)
• Data Analyzer (for data sites)

You can (and should) fit both analyzers if you want to scan down and loot all site types. All of these modules are easily purchasable via the in-game market, even in beginner trade hubs.

While technically a probe launcher can be mounted to any ship, it’s highly recommended you use a ship specifically designed for exploration. Why? Because exploration frigates come with key role bonuses:

• Increased scan probe strength – helping you lock down sites faster
• Improved data and relic analyzer effectiveness – making the hacking mini-game easier

Each faction in EVE has its own entry-level exploration frigate:

• Caldari – Heron
• Gallente – Imicus
• Amarr – Magnate
• Minmatar – Probe

Pick your favorite (or just the one aligned with your starter empire), fit it up, and undock. It’s time to explore.

How to Scan in Space

Once you’re out in space, the scanning process begins. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open the Probe Scanner
   • Click the Scanners button on the left side of your capacitor UI
   • Then click Probe Scanner

This opens two essential interfaces:

• The probe scanner window
• The solar system map

2. Identify Cosmic Signatures In the probe scanner window, you’ll see “Cosmic Signatures” listed. These are the hidden sites you’re aiming for. Ignore the green “anomalies”—they don’t require scanning.
3. Launch Your Probes
   • Click the Core Probe Launcher module near your capacitor
   • Eight probes will launch and appear as blue spheres on your map

Each sphere shows the scan range of a probe. All eight work together to triangulate the hidden signature.

4. Position and Center Your Probes
   • Select a cosmic signature from the probe scanner window
   • Use the arrows on the central cube to move your probe formation around the 3D solar system map
   • Double-click in space to shift between top and side views—you’ll need both to accurately center the probes in three-dimensional space
5. Adjust Probe Size
   • Use the scan range slider at the bottom of the probe scanner window to reduce the radius as your accuracy improves
   • Start with a large radius to find the general location, then reduce in stages to zero in
6. Scan (Analyze)
   • Once centered and properly sized, click the Analyze button
   • The probes will sweep the selected area, and you’ll receive a signal result

Each successful scan will shift the site location and boost your signal strength. Continue this loop:

• Recenter the probes over the new location
• Reduce probe range size by one step
• Scan again

Repeat until the site turns green—that means it’s 100% resolved and ready to warp to.

From Scan to Site

Once you’ve successfully scanned a site to 100%, you can now warp to it. At the site, you’ll use your Relic Analyzer or Data Analyzer to begin hacking the containers for loot. These hacks are your real reward, and mastering them is key to making ISK.

For more on how to hack efficiently and profitably, be sure to check out the next guide: Hacking for Profit.

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Exploration is simple to start, exciting to master, and endlessly profitable if you know where to look. With the right tools, a bit of patience, and some scanning finesse, you’ll uncover the hidden treasures of New Eden in no time. Fly safe, and happy hunting.