Nestled within the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean lies a place so secluded that the nearest human beings are not even on Earth, but rather orbiting above it aboard the International Space Station.
If the thought of getting away from it all has ever crossed your mind, especially with the current cost of living crisis pushing many to the brink, there exists a spot on our planet so isolated that its nearest neighbors are, quite literally, astronauts.
For those seeking the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of human society, there’s a place on Earth that defines remoteness, where the closest form of human contact comes from space.
Though it might sound like an adventurer’s dream, this location is far from hospitable, with harsh winds and freezing temperatures.
But, perhaps, the idea of getting away from a nagging parent or a demanding boss might just make the severe conditions seem bearable.
So, where exactly is this elusive sanctuary where one can escape the stresses of daily life, yet face the challenges of nature?
Positioned in the heart of the world’s largest ocean, lies the ‘Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility,’ also known as Point Nemo.
This is pretty much what you’ll see upon arrival. Credit: Google Maps
It’s so far removed from civilization that the nearest landmass, Ducie Island, part of the Pitcairn Islands, is 2,688 kilometres or 1,670 miles away.
Even Ducie Island is uninhabited, meaning any chance of human interaction is even further away.
Should you venture north from Point Nemo, that’s the direction you’d need to go to find the nearest land, but even then, there’s no guarantee of company.
Traveling south from Point Nemo would lead you to Maher Island in Antarctica, while heading northeast might bring you to Motu Nui Island, a desolate spot near Easter Island.
The unique positioning of Point Nemo is such that it is equidistant from these three land points, offering a curious solution to the conundrum of the ‘longest swim.’
The essence of Point Nemo’s isolation is that it is incredibly distant from any form of human habitation.
Indeed, the closest human presence often comes from astronauts aboard the International Space Station as it orbits the Earth, offering a unique perspective on solitude.
It’s closest neighbors are the astronauts in the International Space Station.Credit: Getty Images / Yunus Turkyilmaz / Anadolu
The area received its name in 1992, courtesy of Croatian survey engineer Hrvoje Lukatela, who utilized Google Maps data to refine the coordinates from his original calculations.
‘Nemo,’ deriving from Latin, means ‘no man,’ aptly reflecting the desolation of this part of the ocean.
Point Nemo’s remote location makes it an ideal spot for safely bringing down spacecraft without the risk of human casualties.
It’s far removed from any population center, serving as a graveyard for satellites and other space debris re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Below the waves, Point Nemo might be home to a trove of space relics, resting deep within the ocean at about 13,000 feet, or two and a half miles down.
The depths ensure that these remnants remain hidden, shrouded in the ocean’s vastness.
Here’s what you’ll be greeted with.Credit: Pexels
In an interesting twist of fate, the International Space Station, once decommissioned, will join the celestial debris in the waters near Point Nemo.
This decision ties the station’s fate to the very fact that made it the closest human presence to this isolated spot.
NASA hints at this eventuality happening around the year 2031.
For those intrigued enough to visit Point Nemo, you can navigate to these coordinates: 45º52.6S, 123º23.6W.
Just don’t expect any form of hospitality, and be mindful of the occasional satellite plummeting from the sky.
