Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: FrankSA on 29/05/2009 10:19:23

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: FrankSA on 29/05/2009 10:19:23

Why is North considered as "up" as depicted on maps and globes? Surely a traveller from another part of the universe, if approaching earth and seeing the southern hemisphere at the top would consider South as "up". I am from South Africa so I am a little concerned that ourselves and the Australians are always considered as "down-under".

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 29/05/2009 10:30:33

Hey!! What about us?!

Check out: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=19401.0

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: FrankSA on 29/05/2009 10:39:47

Oh sorry I forgot, we play Rubgy against you guys and normally win, and then there's South America as well. But yes, have a look at the globe with South as "up", it's far more pleasing to the eye.

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 29/05/2009 11:06:09

I think North is considered 'up' because that is where the majority of the population and land mass is. I mean, just imagine the pandemonium if the map was upside down!

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: FrankSA on 29/05/2009 11:10:44

Yes just imagine... I'm still a staunch supporter for it being downsideup, us Southerners would be on top of the world!

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: Ophiolite on 29/05/2009 11:22:16

All the  major exploratory and cartogrpahic efforts orginated in the Northern Hemisphere. It was natural, therefore, to have North as up. It's the same reason the Greenwich Meridian is the prime meridian. If it hadn't been it would have been Paris, for much the same reason.

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: FrankSA on 29/05/2009 11:26:46

Ok thanks I thought there was a scientific explanation

Title: Why is North "up"?
Post by: syhprum on 29/05/2009 22:12:52

I think early Chinease maps had north at the bottom.

Title: Re: Why is North "up"?
Post by: Monox D. I-Fly on 09/05/2019 04:58:43

Quote from: syhprum on 29/05/2009 22:12:52

I think early Chinease maps had north at the bottom.

Huh? Why?

Title: Re: Why is North "up"?
Post by: alancalverd on 09/05/2019 08:57:06

The nearest thing to a fixed point in our universe is Polaris, which is always "up", so maps drawn in in the northern hemisphere will logically use that convention. You can then transfer the standard to the southern hemisphere, which has no convenient stellar reference, once you have invented the magnetic compass. Polynesian ocean maps don't bother with such trivia - you navigate by looking at the surface of the sea, but it takes a lifetime to learn how.

Title: Re: Why is North "up"?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 09/05/2019 11:51:41

Because around 75% of land, 80% of people, and 100% of ancient interlectual  history and advanced cultures are in the northern hemisphere.

Title: Re: Why is North "up"?
Post by: yor_on on 10/05/2019 19:28:00

I think its a social context.
Doesn't mean I'm correct though :)