The Star Wars galaxy contains several broad sub-regions. Their exact definitions fluctuated somewhat during the Legends continuity, but were later formally updated by the new canon continuity when Disney purchased Lucasfilm. The new canon map is broadly similar to the later versions of the Legends galactic map.
As a general rule, most of the galaxy's wealth, power, and population are concentrated near the middle of the galactic circle – the "Core Worlds". The first major interstellar powers in the core are stated to have risen many millennia ago, gradually coalescing into the early Galactic Republic, with its capital at Coruscant. Waves of colonization (and conquest) by the Republic gradually spread outward from the Core, into the sparser systems at the galaxy's edge, such as Tatooine. Worlds of the Outer Rim are rich in raw resources but lack the population, infrastructure, or political power of the Core. Major galactic sub-regions are further divided into quadrants, sectors, etc., down to individual star systems and planets.
The galaxy has at least two companion-satellitedwarf galaxies, one of which is known as the Rishi Maze, but they are very lightly settled or explored.
The canon map depicts a top-down view of the galactic disk, with "north" as the side of the galactic center that Coruscant is located on. As the capital planet of the Republic and later the Empire, Coruscant is used as the reference point for galactic astronomy, set at XYZ coordinates 0-0-0. Standardized galactic time measurements are also based on Coruscant's local solar day and year.
According to the updated Visual Dictionary series made by Pablo Hidalgo for the Sequel Trilogy, these are the general regions of the galaxy spreading outward from the Core:
Deep Core – the innermost brightly lit region of space, with a supermassive black hole at the center which binds the galaxy together. Densely-packed with stars, nebulae, and other anomalies, it is therefore thinly settled due to the resulting high radiation levels and lack of stable hyperspace routes.
Core Worlds – powerful and wealthy planets with millennia-long histories, many of them founding members of the Galactic Republic. On-screen examples include Coruscant, Corellia, Alderaan, and Hosnian Prime.
The Colonies – the first colonies founded by the nascent Galactic Republic in ancient times. The name is somewhat anachronistic, as they have grown nearly as powerful as the "Core Worlds" themselves, though their histories aren't quite as long or prestigious (i.e. comparable to how the United States or Canada could be called "the colonies" of Great Britain). Mentioned by name in The Rise of Skywalker.
Inner Rim – the original edge of the Galactic Republic, where expansion waves stopped for many generations.
Expansion Region – nestled between the "Inner Rim" and the "Mid Rim", anachronistically named due to a new colonization wave starting again.
Mid-Rim – Generally industrialized though not very important planets, but more developed than the true "frontier" in the Outer Rim. On-screen examples include Naboo and Kashyyyk.
Outer Rim – a vast region including all of the last major star systems up to the galaxy's edge. As the last region that the Republic expanded into, it is relatively the least developed, a frontier more often than not exploited by the central galactic government for its resources. On-screen examples include Tatooine, Yavin, Hoth, Bespin, Endor, Geonosis, Utapau, Mustafar, and Kessel.
Wild Space – star systems located beyond the Outer Rim – because a galaxy's "edge" is not a fixed border line, but a concentration of stars tapering off in frequency. Unlike the Outer Rim, these sparse few systems around the galaxy's circumference were never formally charted. More broadly, Attack of the Clones established that the Star Wars galaxy actually possesses at least three small satellite galaxies, never colonized and considered largely inhospitable. The secret cloner-world Kamino, however, is located in one of these minor galactic clusters beyond the Outer Rim.
Unknown Regions – the new Canon map establishes that, due to the stability of hyperspace lanes, inhabited planets are weighted toward the "eastern" quadrant of the galactic plane with the "western" one being mostly unexplored. These Unknown Regions are home to the first Jedi temple on Ahch-To and the Chiss Ascendancy, into which Grand Admiral Thrawn was born. The remnants of the Empire retreated here after their defeat at Endor, reforming into the First Order – as well as, secret even to the First Order, Darth Sidious' Sith forces reconstituting on Exegol.
Western Reaches – the sectors once controlled by the Republic that border the Unknown Regions of the galactic "west". Essentially similar to the Outer Rim in terms of their history and economic development, the only difference being that instead of being located at the galaxy's physical edge, they are located at the edge of galactic exploration in the "western" side of the Republic. In The Force Awakens, it is stated in dialogue that Jakku is in the Western Reaches.
Apart from these broad regions radiating out from the galactic core, there are also several major galactic sub-regions of note:
Mandalorian space – technically located in the Outer Rim, but relatively close to the border with the Mid-Rim, near Kashyyyk, in the galactic "northeast". The planet Mandalore had its own regional space empire in ancient times, led by their formidable warrior culture. The Mandalorians were the most difficult enemies the Jedi ever faced short of the Sith: they were not Force-wielders, but were a culture of regular humans who had honed themselves to possess the pinnacle of combat training, equipment, and battle tactics. During a series of long wars with the Republic, however, many centuries before the Clone Wars, the Jedi were eventually able to fight them into submission - though with heavy losses. In the Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series, both the Republic and the Separatists compete for support from rival Mandalorian factions, and in the later Star Wars: Rebels animated series, Mandalorians again divide into a proxy war between pro-Imperial and pro-Rebel forces. According to The Mandalorian TV series, this eventually resulted in the devastation of Mandalorian space by the Empire, with surviving enclaves scattering across the Outer Rim.
Hutt Space – a fairly large swath of space along the "eastern" quadrant of the galactic plane, loosely straddling the border between the Mid-Rim and Outer-Rim. The Hutts are a kleptocraticMafia state, derided as "gangsters" composed of several rival clans. The Hutts' resources and power are formidable enough that both the Republic and the Empire never bothered to conquer them, while the Hutts were too divided by their own internal politics to seriously challenge the Republic (unlike the Mandalorians).
This official galactic astrography was later re-confirmed for the first time in on-screen, live-action dialogue in The Mandalorian. In the second season's fourth episode, "The Siege", a classroom is briefly shown on a planet in the Outer Rim, in which a lesson on galactic astrography is being taught by a protocol droid. The teacher not only lists off each of these major regions from the Visual Dictionary, but lists them in the exact same order, from the Outer Rim to the Core:
"Who can name one of the five major trade routes in the galaxy? The Hydian Way [runs] from the Outer Rim to as far away as the Core Worlds. However, there are several other regions within our galaxy. They are the Mid Rim, the Expansion Region, the Inner Rim, the Colonies, the Core, and the Deep Core."[2]
Star Wars canon planets and moons
The following list names prominent planets and moons from the Star Wars films or other canon media.
A desert planet located in the Outer Rim with a completely white surface. Known as The Void, the planet is barely populated but is home to massive amounts of rhydonium, a scarce and volatile fuel.
Largely oceanic planet on which Luke Skywalker has been hiding for several years, and the location of the first Jedi Temple and the Tree Library of sacred Jedi texts. Porgs, Lanai and thala-sirens are among the native species.
A jungle moon which serves as a new base of operations for the Resistance. Years before, Leia and Luke were training there. Leia Organa dies here after using the last of her energy to reach out to her son through the Force.
A temperate, alpine planet with highlands, valleys, forests, and lakes sacred to the indigenous Dhani people, until they were relocated by the Empire, having established a base situated within a dam housing a vault funding its military.
A subterranean world located in the Mid Rim. The native species include, the surface-dwelling beings called the Aleena and sentient tree-like beings called Kindalo.
A rocky planet located in the Azure sector of the galaxy's Core Worlds region. A majority of its surface was covered with tall, red plant-like life. In the early years of the Imperial Era, the planet was destroyed in a cataclysm, with the remains becoming the Anaxes asteroid belt.
Desert planet, site of Phoenix Squadron Rebel base. Home of the spider-like hexapods known as the Krykna, and the powerful force-wielder Bendu. The Battle of Atollon was allowed by Grand Admiral Thrawn himself, and destroyed most of the base, forcing the Phoenix Squadron to leave.
A gas planet with a thin layer of habitable atmosphere where Cloud City was located. The planet's gas layers were a source of rare tibanna gas which was harvested and refined at mining complexes like Cloud City.
An inhospitable junkyard planet in the Mid Rim considered strategically important in the Clone Wars. Becomes useful to the Scrapper Guild whose members salvage decommissioned ships for the Empire.
Colony world of the Neimoidian species. The site of battles throughout the Clone Wars, notable for its "Bridge Cities". Also the site of Plo Koon's death during the Great Jedi Purge.
Home planet of Jango Fett. Habitable planet that is surrounded by a large amount of debris from many vicious wars. Formerly controlled by the Mandalorians.
Cosmopolitan urban world consisting of one planet-wide city. Coruscant is situated in the heart of the Star Wars galaxy with a population of over one trillion, and is Governmental center of the Galactic Republic and later the Galactic Empire. Home to the main Jedi Temple.[35]
Small mineral planet located in a remote section of the galaxy, its surface is covered with a layer of white salt over its red-colored soil. In Leia, Princess of Alderaan it is the location of an early Rebel Alliance outpost. Leia and her remaining Resistance forces flee there in The Last Jedi, where they face off with the First Order.
Rural planet and the former site of a Rebel base. The writers of Rogue One considered depicting the Rebels evacuating the base for Yavin 4, but "it didn't move the story forward and it would have cost a ton of money."
Sith world and homeworld of the Nightsisters, including the Force-sensitive Asajj Ventress. Also the homeworld of the Zabrak warriors, including Darth Maul. A remote world, perpetually bathed in blood-red sunlight and home to numerous dangerous predators.
Rocky, mountainous planet beset by constant severe storms. Home to an Imperial weapons research facility. Its appearance was partly inspired by the fictitious planet LV-426 from the Alien franchise.
Blue gas giant with a complex planetary system, including moons like Sanctuary and Kef Bir, this system was controlled by the Empire until the second Death Star was destroyed.
Forest moon that the second Death Star orbits, and house to an Imperial outpost. Inhabited by Ewoks. The location of the battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire leading to the destruction of the second Death Star.
A stormy planet in the galaxy's "Unknown Regions", with its location deliberately obscured by Republic and Jedi efforts. An ancient bastion of the Sith, it serves as the lair of Darth Sidious and the Sith Eternal during the construction of a Sith armada known as the Final Order.
Rocky desert planet where battle droids are manufactured, and the site of the opening battle of the Clone Wars. All life on the planet is presumed destroyed by the Empire in Star Wars Rebels, with two exceptions: Klik-Klak and his offspring. Primary construction site of the first Death Star. Homeworld of the Geonosians.
An Outer Rim planet that harbors flying creatures called Xandu and medicinally important plants called Reeska. Iego is surrounded by 1000 moons and at least one of these, named Millius Prime, is home to a race called the Angels.
Desert planet. Site of a "graveyard" of ships damaged during the Battle of Jakku, the final battle between the New Republic and the Galactic Empire. Also the homeworld of Rey.
Cold desert moon, and a sacred place for believers in the Force. A source of kyber crystals used for lightsabers and the Death Star's primary weapon. It is also the first location on which the Death Star's destructive capability is tested.
Rogue One's director, Gareth Edwards, has described the location as "a Mecca or Jerusalem within the Star Wars world". It is also a homonym for Jeddah, the principal gateway to Mecca.
A large gas planet that is part of the Mustafar system. Directly responsible for Mustafar's volcanic climate due to an intense gravitational tug-of-war with close by gas giant Lefrani.
Ocean planet located outside the main galaxy, where cloning technology is developed and the Clone Army is created and trained. Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers that the planet is missing from the Jedi archives; it is later revealed to have been deleted as a part of the Sith plot to start the Clone Wars, and take over the galaxy.
A mining planet that has been fought over by crime lords for its valuable Spice. A fissure vent beneath the spice mines served as a source of astatic coaxium, an element that could be refined into hyperfuel for starships.
A frigid mountainous planet. It was the homeworld of Zorii Bliss, leader of the smuggling gang known as the Spice Runners of Kijimi. It is later destroyed by the Xyston-class Star Destroyer Derriphan of the Sith Eternal's fleet, the Final Order, as a show of force for the rest of the galaxy.
Desolate Sith world and site of two major battles thousands of year apart: one involving the Scourge of Malachor, the other between Darth Maul, several Rebels, Darth Vader, and several Inquisitors.
Outer Rim planet that is the homeworld of the Mandalorians torn by wars between Mandalorians and Jedi and eventually purged by the Empire, scattering the few Mandalorians throughout the galaxy (including Bo-Katan). Mandalore has one moon, Concordia, which is fully inhabited.
Planet existing in the spiritual realm within the Force, with a wall surrounding it, home to the three near-omnipotent Force wielders known only in the Jedi Archives as the Mortis Gods. It is said that "the planet is a conduit through which the Force flows."[88]
Volcanic planet and Sith world used by the Techno Union to mine for valuable materials. Hiding place of the Separatist Council during the final days of the Clone Wars, and the location of the duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi that results in the former's disfigurement. During the Imperial Era, it is the location of Darth Vader's personal stronghold.
In the VR gameVader Immortal, it is revealed that Mustafar was once forested and very populous, but was left devastated by an ancient battle. It later begins to slowly heal itself, and, by the time of The Rise of Skywalker, trees appear to have regrown on Mustafar's surface.
Cold, urban planet that served as a battle site in the final days of the Clone Wars, as well as the death place of Jedi Master Ki Adi Mundi by Order 66. Colony world of the Muun species.
A volcanic planet with black sands and lava flows, located in the Outer Rim Territories. Nevarro was a hub of the Bounty Hunter Guild as well as home to a Mandalorian covert in the early days of the New Republic.
A warm, sunny resort planet with pleasant beaches and calm waters that serves as a destination for outlaws to hide. Under Imperial occupation, it was where Cassian Andor was arrested by Imperial shoretroopers and given a six-year sentence.
Jungle planet where Anakin Skywalker and his padawan Ashoka Tano leads a revolt against its Separatist-controlled usurpatory king Sanjay Rush during the Clone Wars; birthplace of Saw Gerrera.
Home planet of the Rodians, including Greedo. A remote swampy, jungle planet, it was represented by Onaconda Farr in the Galactic Senate during the Clone Wars.
A moon that consists of giant coral reefs. Yoda meets King Katuunko of the Toydarians here after being tested in battle by the Separatist Droid Army, during the early days of the Clone Wars. It is here where King Katuunko pledges Toydaria's allegiance to the Galactic Republic.
Primary terrain deserts and swamps. Home of the clone trooper deserter Cut Lawquane. Jedi Master Stass Allie is killed here during the Great Jedi Purge.
Desert and ocean planet. where destitute villages farm wind and refine coaxium. In Solo: A Star Wars Story, the Millennium Falcon arrives there after Han and his crew steal coaxium from Kessel, and Dryden Vos and Tobias Beckett die there.
Oceanic "paradise world" used for construction of the Death Star after the project was moved from Geonosis during the Imperial Era. When Rebel Alliance members raid the Imperial database from the secret base on one of its tropical islands, the planet is destroyed to impede their escape with the Death Star plans.
A forested backwater planet in the Outer Rim mostly populated by human farmers who harvest krill which is used to make spotchka, a popular drink on the planet. Local farmers are constantly attacked by Klatooinians.
A volcanic planet whose atmosphere was highly toxic forcing the native Sullustans to build technologically advanced subterranean cities. It was the base of Imperial factories and the SoroSuub corporation employed roughly half the population.
During the Clone Wars, Jabba's son Rotta is abducted by the Separatists and brought to this planet. Anakin and Ahsoka Tano travel to Teth and rescue Rotta from Asajj Ventress.
Remote planet, covered in deep sinkholes and home to the Utai and Pau'ans. Site of General Grievous' death and a separatist base during the last days of the Clone Wars.
These are planets with multiple appearances in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, now rebranded as Star Wars Legends. The accompanying works were declared non-canon by Lucasfilm in April 2014, following its acquisition by The Walt Disney Company in October 2012.[133]
Planet chosen as the base of operations for a clone of Emperor Palpatine. Located very close to the center of the galaxy. It is destroyed by the Dark Empire's weapon, the Galaxy Gun. Included in at least one canon map.
Moon in Hutt space housing a provisional Rebel base under siege from the Palpatine clone. Capital of the New Republic between the Dark Empire recapture of Coruscant and its destruction. It is destroyed by the Galaxy Gun.
Capital of the Intergalacting Banking Clan and homeworld of the Muun race, which includes Separatist leader San Hill and Sith Lord Darth Plagueis. The site of battles depicted in Star Wars: Clone Wars.
A living, sentient world capable of traveling through space; source of the fastest ships in the galaxy. It is the seed of Yuuzhan'Tar, the Yuuzhan Vong homeworld.
ESO artist's impression of OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb, an exoplanet compared to the ice planet Hoth
The discovery of exoplanets in the real-world universe gained pace in the early 21st century. In 2015, the US space agency NASA published an article which stated that many of the newly discovered astronomical bodies possessed scientifically confirmed properties that are similar to planets in the fictional Star Wars universe.
Two non-canonical works also feature the real-life Solar System's planets. Monsters and Aliens from George Lucas (1993) contains a feature, presented as a clip from a gossip column, in which a pair of Duros are abducted by humans and taken to "Urthha" (Earth), where they create havoc by misunderstanding terrestrial objects and food. In issue #19 of the comic series Star Wars Tales (2004), the story "Into the Great Unknown" finds Han Solo and Chewbacca in the Millennium Falcon, fleeing the Imperial Navy. They jump to hyperspace without doing calculations and find themselves in the middle of our Solar System, overpassing Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars while decelerating and landing in Northern America. Han is killed by Native Americans, and a mourning Chewbacca leaves the Falcon to live in the trees, where the natives believe him to be a sasquatch. In an epilogue set 126 years later, archaeologist Dr. Jones and his sidekick Short Round, searching for the sasquatch, find the Falcon and Han's remains.
^Cavelos, Jeanne (2007). The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books. Macmillan. pp. 29–32. ISBN978-1-4299-7176-8.
^"Ferrix". StarWars.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
^"Fondor". StarWars.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
^"Klik-Klak". StarWars.com. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
^ abNicholson, Max (May 4, 2015). "49 Things The Star Wars Prequels Did Absolutely Right". MTV News. Retrieved October 27, 2015. ...they also brought in a supercluster's worth of new planets, including Coruscant, Naboo, Kamino, Geonosis, Utapau, Mustafar, Kashyyyk and plenty of others in Episode III.
^Taylor, Chris (2015). How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise. Basic Books. pp. 222–223. ISBN978-0-465-04989-9.
^Chalk, Andy (May 3, 2015). "Star Wars: Battlefront has 12 multiplayer maps including the planet Sullust". PC Gamer. Retrieved October 27, 2015. Even with the Icelandic footage, it was more work creating the in-game environment for Sullust than for other planets, like Tatooine, Hoth, and Endor, all of which had real-world counterparts seen in the films.
^Thompson, Rodney; Cagle, Eric; Stutzman, Patrick; Wieland, Robert (May 19, 2009). Jedi Academy Training Manual. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN978-0786951833.
