Point Nemo: The Most Remote Place on Earth and a Spacecraft Cemetery

Edited by: Tetiana Martynovska 17

Point Nemo, also known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, is the most isolated location on Earth. It is situated in the South Pacific Ocean at coordinates 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, far from any landmass.

The nearest land is over 2,688 kilometers (1,670 miles) away, including Ducie Island (Pitcairn Islands) to the north, Motu Nui (Easter Island) to the northeast, and Maher Island in Antarctica to the south.

Identified in 1992 by Croatian-Canadian engineer Hrvoje Lukatela, Point Nemo has become a spacecraft cemetery. Over 260 spacecraft have been intentionally directed there since 1971, including the Russian Mir space station, to avoid risks to populated areas.

Despite its remoteness, Point Nemo has captured public interest, inspiring a 2025 Prime Video series. Research indicates the presence of microplastics in its waters, showing plastic pollution's reach even in the most isolated areas.

Point Nemo symbolizes the vastness and mystery of our planet. It represents humanity's drive to explore and understand the Earth's boundaries.

Sources

  • La Razón

  • NOAA: Where is Point Nemo?

  • BBC News Mundo: Qué es y dónde queda el Punto Nemo, el 'lugar más inaccesible' de la Tierra

  • National Geographic España: El cementerio de naves espaciales: el lugar más remoto del planeta

  • AS.com: Dónde está el Punto Nemo, el lugar más inaccesible del planeta que es un 'cementerio espacial' en medio de la nada

  • Axios: Microplásticos encontrados en el Punto Nemo, el lugar más remoto del océano

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