Tuesday, June 18, 2024

How Remote Are We?

We've now been sailing for 4 full days, far out at sea. Very far out. We are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean in the world. It feels extremely remote. Since we left Rapa Nui, the most remote island in the world, we have seen nothing but blue ocean in all directions, as far as the eye can see. Horizon to horizon. Not a single boat or plane. No birds. Nothing.


Exactly how far out are we? We are 1050 km from Rapa Nui and 1050 km from the next closest island, Pitcairn. Exactly midway between two of the most remote islands in the world.

Then today an interesting thing happened -- The International Space Station (ISS) passed directly overhead.  Why is this interesting?  Because it was only 400 km above us as it passed us by. That means the closest other human beings to us at the time were the astronauts on the ISS!

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