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This is the true size of Africa (mstdn.social)

submitted 4 weeks ago by mapto@feddit.bg to c/map_enthusiasts@sopuli.xyz

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[–] turboSnail@piefed.europe.pub 20 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (4 children)

If stretching is ok, then why not go all the way.

If you dislike stretching, you can always cut instead. That's why we also have a series of octahedral butterfly maps.

If that's not polyhedral enough, you could try the Dymaxion projection instead.

[–] Obi@sopuli.xyz 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

That butterfly one looks sick, I'm not a fan of the overplayed "world map in a cool material" wall-art but this one might get a pass depending on the execution.

[–] turboSnail@piefed.europe.pub 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

There are several projections that follow this butterfly style. Still haven’t decided which one I want on my wall. There’s a local laser cutting company that definitely could make one out of plywood. I think it would look awesome.

[–] CanadaPlus 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Actually, azimuthal equidistant is unironically useful if it centers on you.

[–] turboSnail@piefed.europe.pub 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Absolutely. In a sailing context, it would totally make sense to have a digital map like that. I don't know if professional navigators actually do that though. Maybe they have some even more obscure projection that has some unique benefits that fit a particular niche.

[–] CanadaPlus 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Specifically, radio operators like them - with a directional antenna, it matters which direction goes from Canada to Australia the fastest, and if your station is fixed it can even be a paper map.

I don't know what sailing yachts would use. Probably a close-up map that's nearly flat anyway, since surf, wind direction and local obstacles are the main consideration. In commercial or military sailing, it's entirely possible normal navigation just takes place automatically and digitally at this point. Sextant, compass and Mercator still exist as a backup, though!

[–] turboSnail@piefed.europe.pub 3 points 3 weeks ago

In a military context, you absolutely need to have robust backups. If your ship gets badly damaged you better be familiar with star charts and sextants.

Oh, and that radio operator thing makes a lot of sense too.

[–] rants_unnecessarily@piefed.social 3 points 4 weeks ago

Thanks, I hate you.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

i honestly really like dymaxion because it's a nice aspect ratio and keeping the landmasses all together just feels right.

And it doesn't even look strange if you just remove the ocean

[–] turboSnail@piefed.europe.pub 2 points 3 weeks ago

S-tier cartography right there.