Forum:SH:Essential Atlas grid references

In the recently published The Essential Atlas, the galactic maps are overlaid with a grid reference system. Each system is assigned to a grid reference so that one can find the approximate location of a system within the larger galactic map, even if said system isn't listed on the diagram. my question is how are we dealing with these grid references? Are they an IU reference system, to be used alongside the three-digit coordinate system, or are they an OOU reference to allow readers to find information quickly, much like real-world map books?

If we treat them as OOU, then obviously they have no place within articles. However, if they are treated as IU information, then how do we reference it? The current system infobox has a field for coordinates, but I thought this related to the three-digit system. Perhaps adding a new field in the infobox (say, "Grid reference") would be acceptable, placed under the coordinate field. Another idea is that, if we reference the grid numbers, perhaps said grid references should get articles as well, since they may be an IU term. For instance, M-21 would be an article, listing all worlds in grid ref M-21. Of course, the downside to this would be that the articles would essentially by list articles, unless one could come up with a way of expanding them sufficiently.

Thoughts and suggestions? - Cavalier One ( Squadron channel ) 21:56, 31 August 2009 (UTC)