Aboriginal Constellations?

[Rick Parrott]

Just wondered if anyone knows of a good site or resource regarding Aboriginal star names, constellations, legends etc?

[erick (Eric)]

Start here?

http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/Ab...amples/emu.htm

[Rick Parrott]

Thanks Eric, that's the sort of thing I'm after!

[PeterM]

Some years ago I bought a Planisphere called Aboriginal Sky Figures from the ABC shop. It is based on Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories researched and related by Gaparingu Naputa Aboriginal elder, with astronomical information from Gordon Patston FRAS. It is one of my prized pieces of astro gear and relates some very lovely Aboriginal stories of the major constellations.
It has an ISBN 0-7333-0470-2 don't know if it still available but worth a try.
PeterM.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

The southern cross is the beak of the emu.

[kinetic (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Rick Parrott

Just wondered if anyone knows of a good site or resource regarding Aboriginal star names, constellations, legends etc?

I'm hoping the guy will chime in here, but I vaguely recall an IIS member
here from NT has a special interest in it.
I can't for the life of me think what his username is but someone will.

He does a regional NT radio show as well I think.

Steve

[astroron (Ron)]

I think you may be talking about gaa_ian from Nhulanboy.

[Ric]

I must admit I could never work out where the Emu was.

But once it was pointed out, I've never had a problem since.

It is so obvious I don't know how I ever missed it.

cheers

[Kevnool (Kev)]

I remember a post from gaa_ian saying he gave up IIS for a short while to go storm chasing within the wet season.
He,ll be back.
Cheers Kev.

[WadeH (Wade)]

I find that a lot of people have trouble finding the "emu" because the are used to seeing constellations made of stars, were'as the emu is composed from the dark dust clouds running through the centre of the milky way. Once folks realise that and have a dark sky its easy!

For those of us near Perth, the GinGin Observatory has the good futune of hearing local, Noel Nannup, take us on a journey to discover the secrets of the Aboriginal night sky. I had the pleasure of being with Noel a few years ago while doing aboriginal studies during a land managment course and he is a fantastic speaker.

Contact is: stars@ginginobservatory.com
Sunday, 26 April 2009. 7.00pm to 9.30pm.