On Earth, the cardinal directions are straightforward. The arrow on a compass points to the nearest magnetic pole. You can then use it to travel anywhere on Earth.

In space, the idea of anything being “central” enough to be used as a “North” (since the universe has no center) or being fixated enough to not somehow pose issues is more convoluted.

If you were a pioneer of space exploration, what would your “North” be?

  • tiredofsametab@fedia.io
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    2 months ago

    I don’t think it really makes sense to have a north as such. The only potentially exception I can think of is more of a definition of ‘up’ rather than north and pertains to hemispheres of bodies.

    • treadful
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      2 months ago

      Earth-bound cardinals are basically 2 dimensional vectors. Not really helpful in intergalactic space.