# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 193
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3842 "2024-10-11T16:44:50Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The great circle route from Boston to Tokyo does cross the artic circle, but i think the plane diverges a little from the great circle to avoid flying over Siberia. Hmmm, I didn’t think to count flyovers, but I’ve also flown Boston to Tokyo. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3843 "2024-10-11T18:20:50Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > So i think i flew across the Arctic circle, but I’m not certain. I didn’t think of that one. I flew from Italy to New York City once; does that route cross the arctic circle? – or, rather, was it likely to do so in the late 1970’s or so? I don’t remember the exact year. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3844 "2024-10-11T18:23:38Z")
No, it stays a bit south of the Arctic circle. It doesn’t get as far north as Iceland. > **[Great Circle Mapper](http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=Jfk-rom%0D%0A&RANGE=&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-UNITS=nm&PATH-MINIMUM=&SPEED-GROUND=&SPEED-UNITS=kts&RANGE-STYLE=best&RANGE-COLOR=navy&MAP-STYLE=)** > > Displays a map on which the great circle path for one or more > routes is plotted and calculates the distance along each route. Ranges > from one or more locations may also be plotted, along with go/no-go > areas for ETOPS operations at... ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3845 "2024-10-11T18:34:42Z")
Thanks for info! I had tried googling it, but my brief attempt didn’t come up with anything that clearly settled the question. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3846 "2024-10-11T19:07:20Z")
Great link. I had voted “yes” to crossing the Arctic Circle in the poll, and the site validates that Vancouver–London does, but a surprising number of my other transoceanic crossings don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3847 "2024-10-11T19:07:31Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > I spent a not unpleasant couple of hours at the airport in Reykiavik Iceland at 64 N. > > Never been to the Southern Hemisphere. Closest was Sekondi Ghana at 4 N, where I also spent a couple of pleasant hours, this time waiting for a train. I also hung out at that airport. I have no idea what route they took after and if it crossed the Artic Circle. I’ve been to Cuba which is below the Tropic of Cancer. Been to Europe so I have crossed the Greenwich Meridian. That’s about it. Enjoyed _Pick of Destiny._ I like all of the songs I’ve heard. I find them funny and talented. I have paid zero dollars for any of their output. Whatever that is will be my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3848 "2024-10-11T20:44:09Z")
As I understand it, Tenacious D. is Jack Black and some old guy. Wait, make that two old guys. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3849 "2024-10-11T21:01:23Z")
Not sure why you’re replying to my great circle route comment, but I know Tenacious D, and I don’t enjoy them. I also thought they had recently broken up over a social media comment, but it looks like they’re “on a break”. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3850 "2024-10-11T21:07:01Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > A Great Circle route from LAX - LHR doesn’t get far enough north to hit the Arctic Circle I didn’t think of this. What parellel does this flight (that I have taken) get you to? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3851 "2024-10-11T21:17:30Z")
Looks like 62, maybe 63N. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3852 "2024-10-11T21:19:49Z")
Ah, then, I’ve made it to 60! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3853 "2024-10-12T01:31:59Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > I spent a not unpleasant couple of hours at the airport in Reykiavik Iceland at 64 N. Oh yeah - I’ve changed planes at Keflavik twice. I forgot about that. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3854 "2024-10-12T12:08:58Z")
Anyone encounter one of these 45th Parallel signs and stop to take a photo?: [![](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstillblondeafteralltheseyears.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F05%2FDriving-the-45th-Parallel-North-in-the-United-States-Gaylord-Michigan-2-1.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=a4a94b07a7f24c43d0edae101a44b83a4c36bcba783d75aeed2f8be6e665ced6&ipo=images) ](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstillblondeafteralltheseyears.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F05%2FDriving-the-45th-Parallel-North-in-the-United-States-Gaylord-Michigan-2-1.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=a4a94b07a7f24c43d0edae101a44b83a4c36bcba783d75aeed2f8be6e665ced6&ipo=images) Note: thats an image from the internet. [![](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fshuffly.net%2Fzoop%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F07%2F45th-1024x370.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=757391d777d5559fa4c7ca692a28ad5edbba8c44c9191ea2b05f613aaaf8a6d4&ipo=images) ](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fshuffly.net%2Fzoop%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F07%2F45th-1024x370.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=757391d777d5559fa4c7ca692a28ad5edbba8c44c9191ea2b05f613aaaf8a6d4&ipo=images) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3855 "2024-10-12T15:10:32Z")
No, but we stopped at a spot in Wisconsin that touted itself as the middle of the northern and western hemispheres (45°N 90°W). Cannot remember if we took any pictures. I thought that 45°N is meaningful but that 90°W is kind of arbitrary. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3856 "2024-10-12T15:13:22Z")
Don’t remember doing so. I have had a couple of holidays where I crossed 45 degrees while driving one in Oregon one in Montana / Wyoming I don’t remember a sign but they were many years ago. I do remember seeing a sign like this more recently in Shetland but didn’t stop for a photo. [![](https://i0.wp.com/arcguiding.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/latitude-60-shetland.webp?resize=744%2C419&ssl=1) ](https://i0.wp.com/arcguiding.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/latitude-60-shetland.webp?resize=744%2C419&ssl=1) ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3857 "2024-10-12T15:31:24Z")
Arbitrary in that latitude has a natural starting point, but you have to state the **HERE** is where longitudes start. Which is why France had their own prime meridian for a while This is a really good book on the problems of measuring longitude. Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time [Longitude (book) - Google Search](https://g.co/kgs/Tg9AZ5k) ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3858 "2024-10-12T17:37:20Z")
While I take your point I think having the North Pole at 0, the Equator at 90 and the South Pole at 180 would just as natural as the latitude lines we actually use. Related to the French Prime meridian, the meter was traditioally defined as 1/10,000,000 of the distance between the North Pole and the equator via Paris (the earth is not a perfect sphere so the lines of longitude are not all exactly the same length). ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3859 "2024-10-12T20:24:12Z")
Whether “normal” is a good thing or not depends both on what is meant by “normal” and by what area we’re talking about. Also on whether saying that it’s good is meant to exclude everything else from being good. (hmmmm. Was that a normal sort of response?) ---
**Author:** ![Allecher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@Allecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allecher)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3860 "2024-10-12T20:55:18Z")
My therapist tells me normal is just a setting on the dryer. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/3861 "2024-10-12T20:56:39Z")
I have a t-shirt that says “Oh, God. Not another Character Building experience?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=192) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=194)