Relative position of the Earth

[quizzelsnatch]

I read somewhere, that the South Pole of the Earth is on "top" of the Earth when viewed from outter space. Am I completely wrong on this? or is there no real "top" of the Earth?

 

[Stonejaw]

Of course the south pole is on the top of the earth when you are upside down or is that upside down? Mabey its right side up who knows lol. All depends on your position of viewing it lol I mean the floor is on the top of my room when I am upside down lol

 

[Heisenberg]

Up, down, top, bottom are all just arbitrary conventions we impose. Nature doesn't care what coordinate system you use.

 

[sao123]

impossible to state without a fixed stationary universal point of reference outside the known universe.

 

[sao123]

is ti possible your talking about the magnetic south pole? at times, the poles do reverse magnetically for several thousand years at a time. but currently, I believe that all magnets point northward this millenium.

 

[unipidity]

Though the ecliptic is used to impose an arbitary up/down.

Does the 'galactic ecliptic' and the regular kind line up at all?

 

[alpha88]

If you consider the mathematical definition of angular momentum (the cross product), then geographic north is "up".

The magnetic field of the earth currently has the south pole at the top (geographic north), which is why the "north" end of magnets point to it.

Outside of earth, there is not geographic up, although the orbits of the planets give an angular moment of that roughly corresponds to our geographic north as "up" (although we're tilted from that by about 23 degrees)

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: alpha88
If you consider the mathematical definition of angular momentum (the cross product), then geographic north is "up".

The magnetic field of the earth currently has the south pole at the top (geographic north), which is why the "north" end of magnets point to it.

Outside of earth, there is not geographic up, although the orbits of the planets give an angular moment of that roughly corresponds to our geographic north as "up" (although we're tilted from that by about 23 degrees)

But even that "up" is completely arbitrary and comes from us using a right-handed coordinate system. If we used a left handed system, which is equally valid, then north would be "down"...

 

[quizzelsnatch]

Originally posted by: alpha88
If you consider the mathematical definition of angular momentum (the cross product), then geographic north is "up".

The magnetic field of the earth currently has the south pole at the top (geographic north), which is why the "north" end of magnets point to it.

Outside of earth, there is not geographic up, although the orbits of the planets give an angular moment of that roughly corresponds to our geographic north as "up" (although we're tilted from that by about 23 degrees)

ahh yes, that's what i was thinking about. thank you.

 

[Fallen Kell]

The only reason that maps/globes have our current north as the top and south as the bottom is due to the people who drew those maps to begin with. In other words, you can all thank the English, French, Dutch, and Spanish. The "top" of the world was chosen because that is where these four countries reside. Globes and such more easily show these countries and their colonial holdings when placed at the "top" as opposed to the "bottom". Kings and Queens had as much PR and propoganda in their day as we still have today. Maps were an important part of that.

This especially worked well in "Cylindrical Projection" maps. This style map is the typical map you will see of the earth in which the 3D object of the earth is represented in a complete solid 2D map (i.e. no cuts/slits/curves to take into account that the earth has a curved surface, not a flat one). This map is made as if you projected the features of the earth onto a piece of paper that was wraped in a tube or cylinder around a globe. This will distort some land masses, making them appear smaller then they really are and make others look larger relatively speaking. Specifically points closer to the equator where enlarged while ones farther away were compressed. This map makes borders for some contries look much larger and vast and was and still is used to marginalize some parts of the world. It was used effectively by all four of the before mentioned countries to show off their colonies to the world.

 

[Jel2h]

What would happen to a compass if it were taken out of Earth's magnetic reach? I'm sure there's been studys already done on it, so would the compass just do nothing unless it gets into range of another planet or star's magnetism?

 

[denmalley]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
points closer to the equator where enlarged while ones farther away were compressed.

Not to nitpick, but wouldn't this be the oppposite?

If you were to wrap a piece of paper around the globe in a cylinder, then the equator would be the closest thing to this cylinder (at least in the direction of a "standard map"). Projected images enlarge the further they travel.

 

[gsellis]

Nah, the South Pole is the top. Looking from the pole end, the North Pole, Terra spins counter-clockwise. And we all know that it must spin clockwise to be correct. So, the South Pole is the top

 

[imported_Seer]

Originally posted by: denmalley

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
points closer to the equator where enlarged while ones farther away were compressed.

Not to nitpick, but wouldn't this be the oppposite?

If you were to wrap a piece of paper around the globe in a cylinder, then the equator would be the closest thing to this cylinder (at least in the direction of a "standard map"). Projected images enlarge the further they travel.

You're right, OP is wrong. Greenland looks absolutely massive on one of those types of maps.

 

[forrestroche]

Originally posted by: quizzelsnatch
I read somewhere, that the South Pole of the Earth is on "top" of the Earth when viewed from outter space.

It's an optical illusion. Actually, Trenton, NJ is on the true geographical "top" of the world.

 

[AstroGuardian]

Originally posted by: gsellis
Nah, the South Pole is the top. Looking from the pole end, the North Pole, Terra spins counter-clockwise. And we all know that it must spin clockwise to be correct. So, the South Pole is the top

Heh! This is the most ridiculous theory i have ever heard. As one other member said: Nature dosnt' give a ****** which coordinate system the crazy humans use. But this? clockwise/counterclockwise rotations of the Terra? This isn't written anywhere on this earth dude!
Relax, listen to what others have to say which is supported by science.

Rex ma boy! Go and fetch me some beer from the frigde!!! Good boy!

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: AstroGuardian

Originally posted by: gsellis
Nah, the South Pole is the top. Looking from the pole end, the North Pole, Terra spins counter-clockwise. And we all know that it must spin clockwise to be correct. So, the South Pole is the top

Heh! This is the most ridiculous theory i have ever heard. As one other member said: Nature dosnt' give a ****** which coordinate system the crazy humans use. But this? clockwise/counterclockwise rotations of the Terra? This isn't written anywhere on this earth dude!
Relax, listen to what others have to say which is supported by science.

Rex ma boy! Go and fetch me some beer from the frigde!!! Good boy!

You have a problem comprehending that which is made in jest, even with a tongue out smiley as a big hint, eh?