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?

  • AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    9
    ·
    edit-2
    2 months ago

    The “prime meridian” is the line through the black holes at the centers of the Milky Way and Andromeda, and the “equator” is the galactic plane.

    • deegeese@sopuli.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      edit-2
      2 months ago

      If they’re intergalactic explorers, why would they care about the plane of our ordinary galaxy?

      Why would they choose those 2 galaxies for a meridian?

      Galactic coordinates are easy. OP asked about inter galactic.