If I am trying to decide whether I can fly around an asteroid or set a maneuver without bumping, can I estimate distances or angles by putting my hands on the board? Or is it by eyeball only?

Thanks.

Not on the board - ever. Eyes only. Keep your hands away from the play surface.

Or to put it another way...

During the Planning phase, players cannot use maneuver templates in order to “test” where ships will end up. Instead, they must plan their maneuvers by estimating their ships’ movement in their heads.

page 6 of the rulebook.

Templates, rulers, hands, feet, any other appendages, they're all not allowed.

Alex posted a response to this somewhere back in this forum. Anyone feel like digging today?

That is why I bring a nice little hammer at the tournament.

The moment you place the thumb near the miniature, you will see it falling in all its grace and glory.

Then the screams. The pain. The agony.

Found it:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/178383-pre-mesauring-with-fingers/?hl=hands#entry1638341

i see this alllll the time on you tube battle reports. Tsk Tsk.

Nope judging by eye is where skill comes in a good player can visualize where a ship will land a bad one will crash.