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Subway map for interplanetary travel

by Annie Scott on Jan 12th 2009 at 9:30AM

Traveling the galaxy? This handy map simplifies the solar system for you.

Well, sort of. You have to know some things about the universe. More than I know. Actually, it makes me want to learn more. How come I don't know what Norma and Cygnus are, and that there's an express line that runs between them?

Here's something else I didn't know: The first subway map of this style was London's Tube Map and it was designed by Harry Beck, who, according to Wikipedia, "believed that passengers riding the trains weren't too bothered about the geographical accuracy." He was so right.

So, Mr. Arbesman's map may not be geographically accurate, but that would be pretty tricky to represent on paper anyway, what with the whole 3-D aspect of the galaxy.

There are also now London-style maps to illustrate music (we love that the first comment on this project is "Why did you do this?" -- that's hysterical, Richard), web trends (why's AOL so small? You made us the same size as Wordpress. I mean, seriously), and my personal favorite, a subway map of all the world's subways, overlaid on a world map.

Thanks, Brian O'Neal, for the tip about Samuel Arbesman's killer Milky Way Transit Authority Map!

Filed under: Transportation, Internet Tools