The Interstellar Surveyor Chart

The Interstellar Surveyor is a map of all the star systems within 5 parsecs (16.3 light-years) of the Earth.

PROJECTION SYSTEM

The Interstellar Surveyor uses a diametric type of projection to illustration the 3 dimensions of space on a 2D surface. It is class of axonometric projection in which is also isometric projection which is more familiar to most. 

GRAPHICS DESIGN

Most maps that use axonometric or perspective projections use a single plane to connect the Z coordinate extender lines. This makes the surface of the plane overcrowded with extenders and difficult to identify individual ones. It also means that stars farther from the reference plane lack a close visual reference to show how far they are to stars near them on the map surface. So, a reader has to follow each extender line down to the reference plane to see if 2 stars on the map are really close in reality. Of course, that is if they can be sorted out from each other on a too crowded reference plane.

In contrast, the Interstellar Surveyor has 3 planes to connect the Z extenders. This makes it easier for readers to identify individual extenders. Also, for stars far from the plane, it puts the reference plane closer to them and the other stars near them on the map to make reference more readable.

There are also differences in graphic lines that show how populated different volumes of space are. The white lines on the circumferences of planes denote that those sides have star systems. Also where the coordinate lines are light gray mean that there are systems close to them and where they are dark gray there are not. These graphics give readers some idea of how the volume of space on the map is populated.

STAR SYSTEM SCALE

All confirmed exoplanets as of 2023 are included on the map. They are placed in a diametric distance scale graphic which shows the distance of the planets to their sun and each other. The scale is not to be confused with a logarithmic scale. It is linear in that each zone in the scale graphic is 10x larger than the one inner to itself.

POSTER PRINT

Size:  18” width  x  24” height

Material:  Gloss Archival Paper

Shipped:  Rolled in a plastic sleeve in a 3 sided tube