What are the "Cardinal Directions" of the Milky Way?

[edgar]

Is there any established lexicon for describing directions of travel through the galaxy? Or is there any consensus on the preferred words to use?

I personally like the concepts of "Rimward", " Hubward", "Turnwise" & "Anti-turnwise", as used in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (Pratchett uses "Widdershins" rather than "Anti-turnwise I think, but w/e), although we would still need other words for "up" and "down" for a three dimensional volume.

North, south, east & west don't really cut it in space do they?

 

[Monk]

It is based on the Sun's relation to the galactic core

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_coordinate_system

 

[edgar]

It is based on the Sun's relation to the galactic core

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_coordinate_system

Thanks for the resource. Its not exactly clear to me from reading that, sorry for being a bit slow; so if I was to travel from Earth towards Galactic center, I would be travelling "north"? Is that correct? And if I continued on through the core, and out towards the opposite rim in same direction I would still be traveling "north" as its all centered on the position of Sol?

What would it be called if I was to travel "down", as in down the direction of the Z axis? As in instead of saying "northward" or "eastward"? Just "downward"?

 

[MagmaiKH]

I personally like the concepts of "Rimward" ...

I think ... there's a joke you're missing out on.

 

[Llewelyn]

I tend to use Coreward, Rimward, Spinward and Trailing.

 

[WO-One]

I'll add to the OP question.

How do we access the grid co-ordinates that are visible in the Galaxy map to identify our location or destination.

 

[Batavier]

I think ... there's a joke you're missing out on.

*grins* Oh, yeah. But I'm not.

 

[Monk]

Yes, it is a bit more complicated than our 2D cardinal directions. These are polar coordinates we are using here so north, south, east, west mean different things or are not applicable.

First off, we are not finding coordinates on the surface of an object, we need coordinates on the inside (imagine trying to get cardinal directions from a few miles inside the Earth). Second, we are working on a disc instead of a globe (you can "fall" off the edge). This makes setting the core as North difficult because heading "south" from the core will lead to different edges of the galaxy (whereas on earth you end up at the South Pole).

It will probably be most useful to start using whatever terminology others are using. I've heard many people refer to negative Z on the gal map as down or south. East is generally to the right if you are facing galactic core from Sol. Clockwise anti clockwise could work but is generally not used at that motion/activity is imperceptible.

Really, the only true way to get directions in the galaxy is to use common constellations or stellar objects. Towards virgo, away from horse head nebula...etc

 

[Mysturji]

I'm pretty sure one of them is widdershins.

 

[edgar]

Yes, it is a bit more complicated than our 2D cardinal directions. These are polar coordinates we are using here so north, south, east, west mean different things or are not applicable.

First off, we are not finding coordinates on the surface of an object, we need coordinates on the inside (imagine trying to get cardinal directions from a few miles inside the Earth). Second, we are working on a disc instead of a globe (you can "fall" off the edge). This makes setting the core as North difficult because heading "south" from the core will lead to different edges of the galaxy (whereas on earth you end up at the South Pole).

It will probably be most useful to start using whatever terminology others are using. I've heard many people refer to negative Z on the gal map as down or south. East is generally to the right if you are facing galactic core from Sol. Clockwise anti clockwise could work but is generally not used at that motion/activity is imperceptible.

Really, the only true way to get directions in the galaxy is to use common constellations or stellar objects. Towards virgo, away from horse head nebula...etc

Thanks. I think you're right it will be best to see what terminology others use. I think in terms of the setting it would be nice if compass direction-sounding terms were to be used, as it evokes the Age of Sail, which I enjoy

I tend to use Coreward, Rimward, Spinward and Trailing.

I like those terms. Yoink!

Now I just have to decide whether to use "Up & Down" or "North & South" to describe traveling the Z-axis...

 

[ChubbyBunneh]

Coreward, spinward, anti-spinward, away from the core, above plane and below plane?

 

[Shayde]

Up, down, left, right....that's it. Oh, forgot, forward and backward. With this sophisticated navigation technique you can find everything in the known galaxy. Now, where did I park my Asp ?

 

[edgar]

Up, down, left, right....that's it. Oh, forgot, forward and backward. With this sophisticated navigation technique you can find everything in the known galaxy. Now, where did I park my Asp ?

Ha! As a Welshman I would normally use "up over there now in a minute!" but I thought it best to get into role for ED

 

[Shayde]

Ha! As a Welshman I would normally use "up over there now in a minute!" but I thought it best to get into role for ED

That translates well....I can almost hear it said in my native Yorkshire accent ! LOL

 

[Silh]

I'm rather partial to coreward/outward and upspin/downspin from StarFlight, but that's missing one dimension still...

 

[Aircool]

With Sol at the centre of a compass, North (towards the centre of the galaxy from Sol) with the usual South, East and West. Along with up and down of course.

 

[Ayerc]

All I know is:

The enemy's gate is down.

 

[BigBadB]

I tend to use Coreward, Rimward, Spinward and Trailing.

Me too - old Traveller player, by any chance?

 

[erbal]

Ha! As a Welshman I would normally use "up over there now in a minute!" but I thought it best to get into role for ED

Makes perfect sense ... it's upwards in that direction (pointing) I'm starting now but it will take me a minute.