# Azimuth

Azimuth is Urbit's identity registry deployed on the Ethereum blockchain. It serves as the source of truth for Urbit point ownership and network identity.

## What is Azimuth?

Azimuth is an ERC-721 based public key infrastructure (PKI) that manages Urbit identities. Each Urbit identity is represented as an NFT on Ethereum, providing cryptographic proof of ownership and enabling decentralized identity management.

**Key Features:**

- Galaxies, stars, planets, moons, and comets form a tiered hierarchical identity system
- Cryptographic proof of identity ownership stored on Ethereum
- Higher-tier points sponsor lower-tier points, establishing network relationships
- All identity operations are recorded on Ethereum for transparency

## Azimuth in Zenith

Zenith uses Azimuth as the basis for network participation and governance:

**Validator Eligibility**: Only verified Azimuth galaxy owners can become validators on Zenith.

**Transaction Bundling**: Star owners participate as transaction bundlers, aggregating transactions from planets.

**Identity Verification**: The lockdrop process requires cryptographic attestations linking Azimuth ownership to Zenith accounts.

**Ownership Tracking**: The Azimuth Watcher monitors ownership changes in real-time, automatically jailing and slashing validators who transfer their galaxy ownership.

**Sponsorship Model**: Zenith preserves Urbit's sponsorship relationships, with stars submitting bundles to their sponsoring galaxy validators.

## Learn More

- **Official Azimuth Documentation**: [docs.urbit.org/urbit-id/what-is-urbit-id](https://docs.urbit.org/urbit-id/what-is-urbit-id)
- **Azimuth Contracts**: [github.com/urbit/azimuth](https://github.com/urbit/azimuth)
- **Bridge Interface**: [bridge.urbit.org](https://bridge.urbit.org) - Manage your Azimuth points
- **Network Explorer**: [network.urbit.org](https://network.urbit.org) - View the Azimuth registry

## Related Documentation

- [Watchers](watchers.md) - Learn about the Azimuth Watcher that monitors the registry
- [Roles & Responsibilities](../overview/roles-responsibilities.md) - Understand how Azimuth points map to network roles
- [Lockdrop Onboarding](../overview/lockdrop-onboarding.md) - See how Azimuth ownership is verified during onboarding