Starfield: Astrophysics skill guide

For any completionist readers here, the Astrophysics skill in Starfield will potentially make things easier. You see, there are over 1,000 planets to discover, and each of them has its own flora, fauna, and unique characteristics, also known as traits, that you need to discover to gather survey data. Each survey data is a testament to a complete planetary scan, and can also land you some nice-to-have credits. Let me explain how the Astrophysics skill works in Starfield.

Starfield: Astrophysics skill explained

Screenshot by PC Invasion

The Astrophysics skill will upgrade your ability to scan planets and moons, improving the way you analyze incoming data. This skill belongs to the Science tree and is an Expert skill. This means that for you to unlock it,  you need to spend eight skill points in the science tree before you can learn the Astrophysics skill. Then, to continue upgrading the skill, you will have to scan planets and moons all across the cosmos in the game.

Astrophysics Rank 1

Challenge: Spend eight skill points in the Science tree.

Effects: You can scan the moons of your current planet. You have a 10% chance to discover a trait when scanning.

Astrophysics Rank 2

Challenge: Scan 10 unique planets or moons.

Effects: You can scan any planet or moon in this system. You have a 20% chance to discover a trait when scanning.

Astrophysics Rank 3

Challenge: Scan 25 unique planets or moons.

Effects: You can scan any planet or moon within 16 Light Years. You have a 30% chance to discover a trait when scanning.

Astrophysics Rank 4

Challenge: Scan 25 unique planets or moons.

Effects: You can scan any planet or moon within 30 Light Years. You have a 50% chance to discover a trait when scanning.

How to get traits from scanning planets and moons

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Planet or planetary traits are specific characteristics that each planet or moon has on its surface. It varies in characteristics and can be discovered by scanning a planet on the starfield map. The possibility of discovering a trait while scanning a planet – and the scan range in general – will be determined by your Astrophysics skill.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Screenshot by PC Invasion

If you don’t discover the trait while scanning the planet, you can go and land on it and search for it yourself. Just make use of your scanner and travel to the strange and unknown icons that appear in your HUD. You will eventually get to an area where you will scan and receive the planetary trait. This will count toward your planetary data completion, so make sure to scan it before selling your survey data.