8. Loxodrome, noun. The path described by taking a single initial compass bearing and never deviating from it. On a sphere such as the Earth a loxodrome is neither a straight line nor the shortest path between two points; instead it forms a spiral trajectory that cuts each meridian at the same angle, and—if followed to its limit—will end at one or another of the poles. From Greek loxos, “crooked,” + dromos, “course.” Also known as a rhumb line. You’ll want to think this gradually tightening curve of ours was settled long ago. You’ll figure that each time we seemed to swerve, we did it so we could abide by the same orientation. But I think it’s the twisting that’s important, not the target. So what if we were always headed here? We took our time, and covered all the Earth.

Jan 8 -

8. Loxodrome, noun. The path described by taking a single initial compass bearing and never deviating from it. On a sphere such as the Earth a loxodrome is neither a straight line nor the shortest path between two points; instead it forms a spiral trajectory that cuts each meridian at the same angle, and—if followed to its limit—will end at one or another of the poles. From Greek loxos, “crooked,” + dromos, “course.” Also known as a rhumb line.


You’ll want to think this gradually tightening curve of ours was settled long ago. You’ll figure that each time we seemed to swerve, we did it so we could abide by the same orientation. But I think it’s the twisting that’s important, not the target. So what if we were always headed here? We took our time, and covered all the Earth.

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