Stargate address

Stargate addresses are used by Stargates to determine the position of a target gate in the Stargate Network. They are composed of a series of gylphs, at least seven depending on the intended destination, and are inputted into a Stargate either by a digital signal from a DHD or similar device or by manual manipulation of the dialing ring on cirtain models.

Seven-glyph
The first six-chevrons (each representing a constellation) of a seven-glyph address will represent an area in space at least the size of the Solar system. The Stargate will then seek out, using an unknown method presumably involving subspace communication, the primary gate in that area. The seventh chevron identifys the point-of-origin (POO) which is the area of space that the dialing gate currently resides in. Providing both gatea are functioning properly and not obstructed, a wormhole will then be established between them.

Eight-glyph
Eight glyph addresses work in much the same way as seven-chevron addresses, apart from the seventh chevron is replaced by a glyph adding an extra distance calculation to the address. This allows the dialing of other galaxies. The eighth-chevron in this type of address takes the same function as the seventh in the last, identifying the point-of-origin. Intergalactic addresses require more power than is provided by a standard DHD, but most advanced races are able to substitute in their own power sources to easily dial intergalactic destinations.

Nine-glyph
Nine glyph addresses are totally different to the addresses identified earlier as they do not identify an area in space, but a specific Stargate, wherever it might be. They are simply a code of nine glyphs which are assigned to a Stargate. This type of address is especially useful for spaceships as they are constantly changing position - whilst moving at faster than light speeds a ship would invalidate any seven-or eight chevron address within seconds, and even when stationary it would require the dialer to know the position of the ship. It is also important to note that nine-glyph addresses do not use a point-of-origin symbol. The only Stargate known to have a nine-chevron address in the Ancient ship Destiny.

Complications
Because of stellar drift, Dial Home Devices contain automatic update transceivers which allow for new locations to be fixed. This correlative update system will dial at unknown intervals to relink with the rest of the Network. However, as the DHD and Stargate were discovered separately, the Tau'ri had no way to account for the 10,000 year old addresses the Goa'uld had cataloged when they left. Abydos and Heliopolis were the only two still close enough to establish a wormhole to. Stargate Command was able to over come this with a supercomputer that located the new addresses, turning out two or three every month. However, even with all six symbols, there are still 720 possible permutations available. The planet designations given by the Tau'ri are based on a binary code used by the computer for extrapolation.

The Ancients have pronunciation for the symbols allowing them to speak any gate address. Sometimes they would name the planet after it's address.

Adresse