Galaxy Map
From Mass Effect Wiki
The Galaxy Map is an interactive holographic tool used for navigating the Milky Way. It is located on the bridge of the SSV Normandy behind the cockpit and ops stations. From here the captain can decide which location to travel to next and only the commanding officer can access the map. There are several layers to the map including (in increasing detail level): Galaxy, Nebulas/Clusters, Systems, and Planets.
The Galaxy Map also has details of individual planets once one has been selected. There are over one hundred planets, yet only a few can be landed on and explored due to most being non-terrestrial or too inhospitable. Even if a planet is too dangerous to land on, you can survey most of them to search for valuable metals, minerals, gasses and sub-plot quest items.
Due to the nature of the Mass Relays, ships must change relays repeatedly to get to the far side of the galaxy. The Galaxy Map aboard the Normandy automatically calculates the paths necessary to take to get to the desired location.
