File talk:WMAP 2008.png

This might be stupid question, but why isn't it circular? --Håken Lid 12:20, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

This is a projection of a sphere (the night sky) onto a flat surface, in this case, a screen. Compare with maps of the world, those certainly aren't circular! It is impossible to project a sphere onto a flat surface without distortion or tearing. Try peeling the map on a globe off and setting it flat. It can't be done without ripping.Planetary (talk) 21:05, 23 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]