2007-06-22 01:40:42 · 5 answers · asked by Toronto 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No, we could have looked at the earth with any direction facing "up", even if the orbit around the sun were seen as vertical, in which case the axis of the earth would be horizontal. In space it doesn't really matter, it's just how we chose to look at it.
2007-06-22 01:46:04 · answer #1 · answered by Baron_von_Party 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is No.
Like many other conventions, it came about because the most prominent nations involved in Cartography during the "age of discovery" were all located in the Northern hemisphere.
When England became the dominant Maritime power,the Royal Observatory at Greenwich became the reference point for Longitude and Time. Previous to that, many nations used their own reference points. One of the most popular ones was Cabo Rocas in Portugal, the farthest western point of the European land mass.
Adolph
2007-06-22 02:19:53 · answer #2 · answered by Adolph K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really scientific, but it is worth noting that the magnetic poles are due to reverse, so the Geographic North pole will become the magnetic South.
2007-06-22 02:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you want to do a quick reversal of world view......and maybe get a headache...follow the link to a standard Mercator projection with South UP!
2007-06-22 08:10:25 · answer #4 · answered by yankee_sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
None that I am aware of
2007-06-22 03:24:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋