The Galaxy Map is the interface you use to explore the Milky Way and its many systems. In Mass Effect 3, the galaxy has been overrun by Reapers , which haunt the very systems you seek to explore. A complete list of Clusters, Systems and Planets -- including where you can scan for War Assets and more -- can be found in the sections below. For a spoiler free listing of the planets and systems contained in each galaxy check the Spoiler Free Galaxy List .

Scanning and Exploring the Galaxy

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Scanning

Scanning yields War Assets, Fuel, intel and artifacts for Side Missions. Choose a system from the Galaxy Map and you can scan while you navigate the star system by hitting the LEFT TRIGGER. The scan beacon may pick up an anomaly on a planet or in deep space which you can explore by entering its orbit. You will then either immediately be awarded with a resource or you will enter the scanning mini-game.

Avoid the Reapers with this scanning trick.

The ultra-streamlined scanning of Mass Effect 3 only requires you to navigate to a point of interest using the compass-like cursor. Once you get here you can launch a probe. You have an infinite amount of probes, and you don’t need to purchase them.

The resources in a given solar system are accounted for by a percentage shown in the upper left corner of the screen. Once you find a resource, this percentage is increased. Once you have 100% of all resources in a galaxy, scanning is no longer necessary.

Reapers

If there is no Reaper on the system you want to explore, you are safe to travel and scan it as you please. However, if you begin scanning in a Reaper-infested system, the Reapers will move in and attempt to capture the Normandy. If you are caught, you will be returned to your last save outside of the Galaxy Map.

The Reaper Alertness meter in the lower left region of the screen will reveal how many more scans you can perform before alerting the Reapers. To escape the Reapers, you must simply pilot the ship out of the current system. You can do this by using a Mass Relay or by just cruising out of the solar system -- at the expense of fuel.

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Reapers will vacate an occupied system after you complete a Mission, but the Reaper Alertness meter might not totally dissipate right away.

Fuel

Fuel is expended in Mass Effect 3 every time you pilot the Normandy into the void between star systems. Mass Effect jumps do not expend fuel, nor does travel within a system. If you run out of fuel you will be automatically returned to the nearest system with a Mass Relay.

As you move from one star system to a next, you can "cruise" to conserve fuel. There are several ways to attain fuel:

Scanning - You can scan for anomalies that may or may not contain fuel.

Fuel Depot - Fuel Depots exist in developed star systems.Fuel costs Credits.

Dock at the Citadel - You can get a free refill just by docking at the Citadel.

Clusters