Point Nemo, situated in the vast South Pacific Ocean, is renowned as the oceanic pole of inaccessibility. Its precise coordinates, 48°52'6" South latitude and 123°23'6" West longitude, mark it as the furthest point from any landmass on Earth. The nearest landmasses are Ducie Island, Motu Nui near Easter Island, and Maher Island in Antarctica, all approximately 2,700 kilometers (1,677 miles) away. This unique geographical marker was identified in 1992 by Croatian engineer-researcher Hrvoje Lukatela through computer modeling.
Remarkably, the closest human presence to Point Nemo is often the astronauts aboard the International Space Station, orbiting about 400 kilometers (248 miles) above. This profound remoteness has led to Point Nemo being designated as a "spacecraft cemetery." Since 1971, hundreds of decommissioned satellites and space stations have been intentionally deorbited into its depths. Notable examples include Russia's Mir space station and numerous cargo craft, with the International Space Station anticipated to follow suit upon its retirement, projected for 2031.
The name "Point Nemo" is inspired by Captain Nemo, the iconic fictional character from Jules Verne's novels, "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and "The Mysterious Island." Captain Nemo, known for his solitude aboard his submarine, the Nautilus, embodies the spirit of this isolated oceanic point. The character's name, derived from Latin for "no one," aptly reflects the location's profound absence of human habitation.
Verne's creation of Captain Nemo was influenced by the scientific and technological advancements of his era, as well as geopolitical events like the 1863 Polish uprising against Russia. Initially conceived with a Polish background, Verne's publisher advised against it due to potential political ramifications, leading to a more enigmatic portrayal of Nemo's past. The name "Nemo" itself, meaning "no one" in Latin, is a literary nod to Odysseus's encounter with the Cyclops in Homer's Odyssey.
The allure of Point Nemo extends into the cosmic realm, capturing the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts. In recognition of Verne's character, an asteroid, (1640) Nemo, was named in his honor, discovered by Sylvain Arend on August 31, 1951. Further cementing this celestial connection, the crater Nemo on Charon, Pluto's largest moon, was officially named in 2018, acknowledging the character's influence on the exploration of our solar system. These tributes highlight how the concept of ultimate remoteness, as embodied by Point Nemo, resonates across both earthly and cosmic landscapes.