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"Tube Map" Created For the Milky Way

Posted by samzenpus on from the non-stop-service-to-the-Perseus-Arm dept.

astroengine writes "Assuming you had an interstellar spaceship, how would you navigate around the galaxy? For starters, you'd probably need a map. But there's billions of stars out there — how complex would that map need to be? Actually, Samuel Arbesman, a research fellow from Harvard, has come up with a fun solution. He created the 'Milky Way Transit Authority (MWTA),' a simple transit system in the style of the iconic London Underground 'Tube Map.' (Travel Tip: Don't spend too much time loitering around the station at Carina, there's some demolition work underway.)"

24 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. From Lave by pommiekiwifruit · · Score: 4, Informative

    I just know that from Lave, you should try to get to Zaonce and Isinor to build up your credits...

    1. Re:From Lave by LordSnooty · · Score: 2

      How do I get on from the Great Circle Line?

      Sorry, the Great Circle line is closed all weekend for essential maintenance. There's a good service on all other lines though!

  2. Don't forget to... by Some.Net(Guy) · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mind the gap!

    1. Re:Don't forget to... by Goffee71 · · Score: 2, Funny

      What is the galactic equivalent of Mornington Crescent?

      --
      If he's the Walrus then can I be a penguin please?
    2. Re:Don't forget to... by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 4, Funny

      What is the galactic equivalent of Mornington Crescent?

      Even on that scale, I think it's still Detroit.

      --
      Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
  3. Direct link to the artist's web site by mattdm · · Score: 5, Informative

    With PDF version! http://arbesman.net/milkyway/

  4. And remember... by gestalt_n_pepper · · Score: 4, Funny

    First class gets extra inertial damping. It costs more but it's soooo worth it.

    --
    Please do not read this sig. Thank you.
    1. Re:And remember... by Mashiki · · Score: 4, Funny

      To be goo, or not to be goo. That is the question.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
  5. Well by CSHARP123 · · Score: 4, Funny

    My job is located at Galaxy Center. But I live at The Hamptons. The problem is, I have to take Brown line and yellow line to reach the center, It takes for ever and in some locations the AT&T signals are not that good and I cannot do anything with my iPad. Well that's life...

    1. Re:Well by TorKlingberg · · Score: 3, Insightful

      My job is located at Galaxy Center. But I live at The Hamptons. The problem is, I have to take Brown line and yellow line to reach the center,

      Dude, you can warpspeed over to Outer Junction, and take just about any line from there. It's not far at all. That's the problem with these schematic maps: people don't learn the real geography.

  6. Don't forget your towel! by Dr_Art · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Don't forget your towel!

  7. The galaxy is a series of Tubes .... by tomhudson · · Score: 4, Funny
    Sorry, it had to be said.

    Actually, the interstellar transport system is like a box of chocolates ... you never know where you're going to end up. It was prototyped from an airport luggage handling system - more specifically, Denver.

    Nobody's ever complained. Then again, nobody's ever come back.

  8. Oh great... by Overzeetop · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...we ended up on a fucking spur line. Why is it I always have to transfer every time I want to go somewhere cool!

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  9. Re:So let me get this straight... by Knara · · Score: 2, Funny

    The butthurt is strong with this one.

  10. Re:How cute by kalirion · · Score: 2, Informative

    When measuring distance in light years, the shortest path will always between two points(1)

    Isn't the shortest distance always "between two points", regardless of the units of measurement?

  11. Planning commission biased as always by RichMan · · Score: 4, Funny

    How did Sol rate even a minor station. A crummy little G2 minor league star.
    I suspect undue influence at the planning commission or city council for this station to even exist.

    1. Re:Planning commission biased as always by Megane · · Score: 4, Funny

      You haven't heard the news? They're planning to build an interstellar bypass through there. The plans have been on file at Alpha Centauri for years. It's not their fault if you haven't been around to check them.

      --
      #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
    2. Re:Planning commission biased as always by Throtex · · Score: 4, Funny

      How does that even work, when the universe's population is zero?

      Universe
      --------
      Population:
      None. Although you might see people from time to time, they are most likely products of your imagination. Simple mathematics tells us that the population of the Universe must be zero. Why? Well given that the volume of the universe is infinite there must be an infinite number of worlds. But not all of them are populated; therefore only a finite number are. Any finite number divided by infinity is zero, therefore the average population of the Universe is zero, and so the total population must be zero.

  12. Mind the gap, please! by judolphin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mind the gap, please!... or be SUCKED INTO OUTER SPACE!

    --
    The Institute of Incomplete Research has determined that 9 of out 10
  13. Ah, Asteroids - the icebergs of the sky by uberjack · · Score: 2, Funny

    If we swerve wildly around those, we might get some sort of gravity-boost or something

  14. This map is completely unreliable by Token_Internet_Girl · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't see the systems for Terminus, Vulcan, or Hoth anywhere on the map!

    --
    Sure baby, I'll give you my phone number...in Hex
    1. Re:This map is completely unreliable by cmiller173 · · Score: 3, Funny

      IIRC Hoth is in a "Galaxy far far away..." which would be outside the scope of this map. Please step down the concourse to the intergalactic departures desk for the assistance you need.

    2. Re:This map is completely unreliable by Token_Internet_Girl · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Oh wow, my nerd stock just plummeted.

      --
      Sure baby, I'll give you my phone number...in Hex
  15. Tubes? by Monkey_Genius · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Please. No one needs tubes. All one needs is a little spice to fold space --and possibly some 'Juice of Saphoo' for the trip.

    --
    I've got your sig, right here.