The Byrnum Maw was a nebula located in the Inner Rim Territories that was formed through a dying star's explosion centuries before 40 BBY. In the years following its formation, the hyperspace routes surrounding the nebula were disrupted and rendered unusable. Despite Galactic Republic scientists' best efforts, their attempts to chart a path through the Byrnum Maw proved unsuccessful.
In 40 BBY, scientists working for the Republic Supreme Chancellor Kirames Kaj discovered that it was possible to use hyperspace anchors on the planet Pijal—a world near the nebula's center—and its moon to stabilize a central section of the area for new hyperspace routes to be established. Afterward, Kaj signed off on the Governance Treaty initiative drafted by Pijal's lord regent—Rael Averross—and Czerka Corporation officials, which the world's Queen Lamia eventually signed after the refusal of her predecessor, Queen Fanry. Afterward, the Republic established the Pijal Hyperspace Corridor, restoring hyperspace traffic to the regions affected by the Byrnum Maw's formation.
The Byrnum Maw was a nebula located in the regions known as the Inner Rim Territories and the Interior. It surrounded the planet Pijal and its system, which was situated in grid square L-8 of the Standard Galactic Grid. In 40 BBY, the hyperspace route known as the Pijal Hyperspace Corridor was established and provided a path through the nebula.
The planet Pijal was situated near the center of the Byrnum Maw.
Centuries before 40 BBY, a dying star exploded and formed the Byrnum Maw. The hyperspace routes connecting the surrounding region of space were disrupted by the nebula's emergence, rendering them unusable. After the event, Galactic Republic scientists attempted to find a stable path through the nebula to restore hyperspace traffic, but their attempts proved fruitless. Over time, the Byrnum Maw's disruption of nearby hyperspace routes isolated many worlds from the wider galaxy, and at some point, the Czerka Corporation began exerting heavier influence over the region as the latter's economic prosperity dwindled. As years passed, several worlds affected by the Byrnum Maw's formation, including one near its center, Pijal, maintained sparing contact with the Republic in the hopes that pathways through the nebula would someday be charted.
Scientists working for the Galactic Republic (emblem pictured) discovered a way to use hyperspace anchors to chart a path through the Byrnum Maw.
In 40 BBY, scientists working under the Republic Supreme Chancellor Kirames Kaj discovered that placing a hyperspace anchor on both Pijal and its moon could stabilize a portion of the Byrnum Maw, which would allow the establishment of several new hyperspace routes. The planet's lord regent, the Jedi Rael Averross, worked with Czerka officials to draft the Governance Treaty—an initiative that would strip the Pijali monarchy of its authority and grant it to a democratic assembly that would be able to make legally binding agreements with Republic officials.
Kaj signed off on the initiative, hoping to reconnect systems near the Byrnum Maw with other Republic worlds. The Supreme Chancellor sent Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on a mission to Pijal to ratify the Governance Treaty after its signing. While briefing them in her office, Kaj informed the pair of their mission objectives, including the context that a path had been discovered through the nebula. However, the Pijali Queen Fanry refused to sign the Governance Treaty, ultimately leaving its ratification to her successor, Queen Lamia. Afterward, the Republic established the Pijal Hyperspace Corridor through the Byrnum Maw in order to restore hyperspace traffic to the region.
The Byrnum Maw appeared in a hologram in Master & Apprentice, a 2019 novel by Claudia Gray.