This map displays the directions used when talking about objects relative to each other in space. It also displays the Quadrent system[1]. This system is used by the KTO, which was adopted by the Federation in 2312.
Elements
Galactic Barrier - This is a negative energy barrier surrounding the galaxy. Very few ships have penetrated it, and attempts to duplicate how they did it have all failed.[2]
Galactic Core - Powered by the mega black hole at Sagitarrius A*, there is an impossible planet, called Sha-ka-Ree that sits in stationary orbit of the black hole. Expeditions to reach it have all failed, and aside from a famous voyage by Sybok and Kirk in 2273 that reached the core and discovered it was being kept there by an incredibly powerful energy being, no one has reached it. After 2273, when it was discovered it was a prison, the region has been declared off limits by all powers by the Common Space Travel Treaty[3]
Quadrents
Original definition in 2258
α - This quadrant is defined as "below the line from the galactic center to the pulsar T3029C8 and left of the line from the galactic center through the Guardian of Forever.". This means that Earth, Fereginar and Betazed are considered Alpha Quadrant planets. Majority of the Federation lies in this region or just on the other side in the Beta Quadrant.
β - This quadrant is defined as "right of the line from the galactic center through the Guardian of Forever and below the line from the galactic center to NGC 91019.". The Klingon Empire and Romulan Star Empire lay in this region, and are the most prominent Beta Quadrant powers.
γ - This quadrant is defined as "above the line from the galactic center to the pulsar T3029C8 and left of the line from the galactic center through the Maze of Eternity."[4]. Largely completely unexplored or surveyed except by deep-space long-range warp probes. Unknown territory.
δ - This quadrant is defined as "right of the line from the galactic center through the Maze of Eternity and above the line from the galactic center to NGC 91019." Largely completely unexplored or surveyed except by deep-space long-range warp probes. Unknown territory.
Added in 2273
As a result of several missions by the USS Enterprise, under Captain Kirk, Starfleet Science successfully argued that the halo region, or the deep bulge, should have their own names. Technically, each could be expressed by extremely high z values in other quadrants, but it became easier to consider them separate regions of space entirely.[5]
ε - The Epsilon quadrant is the halo region below the galaxy. Most known for the now named Epsilon subspace broadcasts received by Federation outposts in 2281. Decoding completed in 2320, and the broadcasts were promptly classified. Some exploration of the globular clusters by experimental warp probes was done, but every probe was destroyed at approximately 8.5 kly from the galactic plane.
ζ - The Zeta quadrant is the halo region above the galaxy.
Added in 2314
Added at the request of Starfleet Intelligence, and after the Promethean Lighthouse Incident, this region is completely offlimits to Federation starships without the express permission of the Commanding Officer of Starfleet.
η - Eta region - Defined as extragalactic space. The only non classified experience in it was the USS Enterprise's hijacking by the Kelvan Empire in 2268. A major barrier to exploration is the galactic barrier surrounding the galaxy.[6]
↑So called, even when additional ones were added in 2273 and 2314.
↑As of 2353, the barrier has claimed 2745 ships and 45918 lives. Starfleet has standing orders not to attempt mapping or crossing it.
↑Passed in 2280, on the neutral world of Nimbus III.
↑This was a Klingon name for it - a mythical maze that Kahless once climbed out of Gre'thor from after killing Malor.
↑It should be noted that the extreme edge of rimward regions sometimes dip into these quadrants, although almost there's nothing worth charting in those regions.
↑While plans to explore it were being started, the Promethean Lighthouse Incident stopped them entirely, and as of 2353, plans to explore the extragalatic space are still on hold.
