The formation of the Byrnum Maw nebula in the Inner Rim Territories occurred centuries before 40 BBY. After the event, the hyperspace routes near the nebula were disrupted and rendered unusable, isolating neighboring systems, such as the Pijal system, from the wider galaxy. In 40 BBY, Republic scientists charted a path through the Byrnum Maw and used two hyperspace anchors to stabilize a central portion of the nebula allowing for the establishment of the hyperspace route known as the Pijal Hyperspace Corridor.
Millennia before the reign of the Galactic Republic, settlers began colonizing several star systems in the Inner Rim Territories, including the Pijal system. Over time, the worlds' citizens helped establish several hyperspace routes, leading to the rise of trade and economic prosperity in that region of the galaxy.
Centuries before 40 BBY, a dying star exploded and formed the Byrnum Maw nebula. The hyperspace routes connecting the surrounding region of space were disrupted by the nebula's emergence, rendering them unusable.
The Byrnum Maw's formation disrupted the hyperspace traffic of Pijal and nearby worlds.
After the event, Republic scientists attempted to find a stable path through the nebula to restore hyperspace traffic but were unsuccessful. Over time, the worlds relying on the disrupted routes became isolated from the wider galaxy. One of the planets near the nebula's center, Pijal, had its economic progress stalled due to a lack of trading traffic. In the following centuries, Pijal remained minimally in contact with the Republic, hoping scientists would someday 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 Corporation 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, hopeful to reconnect systems near the Byrnum Maw with other Republic worlds. The Chancellor sent the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on a mission to Pijal to ratify the Governance Treaty after its signing. However, the Pijali Queen Fanry refused to sign the initiative, for it would take away her authority and leave her world under the control of the Czerka Corporation. Eventually, her successor Lamia signed it after the queen's abdication, which allowed for the establishment of the hyperspace route known as the Pijal Hyperspace Corridor and the restoration of traffic to the region.
The formation of the Byrnum Maw was mentioned in Master & Apprentice, a 2019 novel by Claudia Gray.