You can sail directly from India to US in a straight line, shows social media user; Elon Musk says 'whoa'

A recently shared 2D route map, suggesting the existence of a direct sea route from India to the US, has set the internet abuzz. This intriguing map, posted on X by the user Epic Maps, portrays a straight sailing path between the two nations across vast geographical distances. The map's creator boldly claims that one can sail from India to the US without touching any land in a completely straight line.

"Without touching a single piece of land, it's possible to sail from India to the USA in a completely straight line," the caption of the post read.



This revelation swiftly garnered the attention of internet users, including billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who expressed his astonishment with a simple "Whoa." Musk's reaction has further fueled the debate surrounding the map.


While many, including Musk, were impressed by the concept of a straight-line sea route, some users expressed doubts about its accuracy. Certain X users argued that the line "is far from straight" on the 2D map. However, it is crucial to note that this apparent lack of straightness in the two-dimensional representation is due to the inherent curvature of the Earth.

The debate continued as some users pointed out that the map might not appear straightforward on a 2D surface but indeed follows a straight trajectory when represented on a globe. This means the line remains continuous in one direction, without deviating left or right.

In an effort to clarify the concept, a user shared a short video demonstrating the sea route on a 3D globe. This visualization highlights the difference between a 2D projection and the actual path one would follow when considering the Earth's spherical shape.

Social media users have expressed various opinions on the matter. Some thanked the user who provided the 3D globe perspective for clarifying the journey, while others criticized those who found the original picture confusing. The debate primarily revolves around the interpretation of "straight" concerning Earth's curvature.