As you explore the universe you will encounter things we call "Points of Interest" or POIs for short.
POIs are found on planets. Each planet can have only one POI.
They can be revealed when you explore a system with an exploration mission launched from one of your colonies or when you explore the system with a ship.
They can only be claimed when you explore the planet with a ship that has at least scanner level 1.
Most POI rewards scale with universal tech level.
Some POIs offer permanent effects to colonies on that world. They can influence economy, research, and terraforming. These POIs will always remain on the planet.

As of B7 there are more POIs, some of which are very rare and thus not spoiled in this article.
Below are the original POIs introduced in B6, adjusted for their current effect, plus one introduced in B7 to highlight POIs with eco impact:
Alien Technology
- No longer yields a random Crimson print.
- Permanent effect on all research conducted on this world.
- Slightly increases scientist leveling speed.
- Significantly increases scientist ingenuity leveling speed.
- Significantly increases the chance of getting a hybrid.

Primitive Colony 1
- Reward colony.
- Colony offers to join you when you claim the POI.
- Requires high hab, oxygen atmosphere, and at least 10% fertility.

Primitive Colony 2
- Refuel colony.
- Colony offers refueling services after you "claim" it with a POI.
- Requires high hab, oxygen atmosphere, at least 10% uranium, and at least 6% fertility.

Scavenger Colony
- Scavengers have a colony on the planet and a fleet in orbit.
- The colony can be conquered.
- Is triggered when the system is explored so you'll never find the POI on the planet, you only find the colony that comes from the POI.
- Requires medium amount of habitability, at least 10% fertility and 10% uranium, and at least 5% iron, bauxite, copper, and lime.

Scavenger Fleet
- Scavengers have a fleet in orbit around the planet.
- Is triggered when the system is explored so you'll never find the POI on the planet, only the fleet that comes from the POI.
- They prefer worlds with high abundance.

Bad Reading
- The abundance of one of the planet resources will be boosted by 10-20%.
- The boosted resource had to already have an abundance between 6 and 80%.
- If no resource meets the requirements then fertility is boosted instead.
- Can only happen on worlds with an alien or acidic atmosphere and with at most 70% habitability.

Abandoned Ship
- A trade-station capable ship is in orbit around the planet.
- The fleet becomes yours after you send an exploration mission to the planet.
- The ship is loaded with resources and contains more of the rarer resources (lots of gold and diamonds like a proper treasure hoard).
- Requires non-oxygen atmosphere and low gravity. Prefers none-type atmospheres.

Alien Lifeforms (introduced in B7)
- Alien animals roam the planet. They can be lucrative and a hazard to health.
- All colonies on this world are affected. POI can't be removed.
- Doubles entrepreneur output.
- Slightly increases immigration.
- Lowers resource productivity (native wildlife seems to be a hassle)
- Increases sickness.