Indigenous astronomy

Last updated

Indigenous astronomy is the name given to the use and study of astronomical subjects and their movements by indigenous groups. This field encompasses culture, traditional knowledge, and astronomy. Astronomy has been practised by indigenous groups to create astronomical calendars which inform on weather, navigation, migration, agriculture, and ecology. [1] Alongside calendric uses, constellations have names and stories that inform ceremony and social structures holding specific and deep cultural meanings for respective indigenous groups. [1] [2]

Contents

Knowledge systems

Indigenous astronomy is an aspect of indigenous knowledge systems, which are used to explain and predict nature. [3] It involves the notion of a living relationship with the sky, celestial objects and processes. [4] This living relationship is a product of long-held observation and participation traditions, recognising the spirituality and relatedness of living things. [4]

Research on the knowledge, traditions and practices from indigenous astronomy has revealed the scientific and social information they contain. [5] European colonisation attempted to suppress indigenous cultures; however, many groups successfully persisted, maintaining their culture and inter-generational knowledge transmission. [6] [4] In some groups, information is considered sacred, or only shareable in specific seasons or by specific community members, ages, or genders. [4] [6] Therefore, sharing certain astronomical knowledge to non-indigenous may be inappropriate, and the astronomical information available is only that which is given freely by indigenous traditional owners to researchers. [6]

Examples from different regions

Indigenous astronomies are diverse in their specificities, but find commonality in some storytelling themes, practices, and functions. [1]

In Aboriginal Astronomy, Kamilaroi and Euahlayi elders reveal that the Emu in the Sky, a dark constellation, informs on emu behaviour and seasonal changes, with consequences for food economics and ceremonial events. [1]

MonthPositionInterpretation
April–MayEmu rises.Chasing male emu to mate.
June–JulyHigh in the sky, approximately horizontal to southern horizon.Male sitting on the nest to incubate eggs (56–59 days). Used for estimations on collecting emu eggs.
August–SeptemberEmu perpendicular to south-east horizon.Male emu getting up from the nest as chicks hatch.

Denotes when the Bora ceremony is held.

October–NovemberLow on the horizon. Galactic bulge visible.The galactic bulge represents the emu's backside sitting in a watering hole, displacing water and drying out the land. This indicates the beginning of hot, dry summer months.

The August–September positioning denotes when the Bora ceremony is held. [7] [1] The Bora ceremonial grounds are thought to reflect the major dark patches of the emu (its head and body), as two circles of different size, connected by a pathway. [7] [1]

The use of stars for sea-navigation is common across indigenous groups, especially those with island or archipelago geographies. For example, the Bugis people of Indonesia used the presence or absence of certain stars and their rising and setting times like compass points, in concordance with other signs such as wave, wind and cloud patterns. [1] For example, the absence of bembé’ é, the goat (the Coalsack), forecast calm weather. [8] [1] Polynesian astronomy also utilised star-compasses like the Buganese, with the memorisation of specific “steering-stars” and their rising and setting directions on the horizon. [9]

Astronomy was used across many cultures to develop lunar calendars. [10] Polynesian groups and southern African tribes both used the heliacal rise of the Pleiades stars to regulate agricultural and ceremonial activities. [11] [9]

Revitalisation and cultural heritage

Some academic literature argues that all science is embedded with culture, and to acknowledge this is integral to create diverse learning environments and decolonise Western knowledge systems. [4] [12] To acknowledge other cultures is to affirm them, revealing valuable alternative scientific perspectives. [4] This is considered important and a responsibility of institutions such as planetariums, museums, and educational curricula to include. [13] [14]   [4]

There are several initiatives to revitalise and share indigenous astronomy. In the US, the Bell Museum planetarium of Minnesota worked with native American astronomer, Annette Lee, to construct a best practices framework for sharing Indigenous Astronomy and create a live online programme on Indigenous Star Knowledge. [15] [13] Lee also received NASA funding to deliver a school educational programme on Indigenous Astronomy. [16]   [15]

In Australia, Aboriginal Astronomy has featured in Sydney Observatory’s exhibition since 1997. [14] Research into the development of Aboriginal astronomical knowledge was used to develop an educational program at the Sydney Observatory, called Dreamtime Astronomy. [14] It includes activities such as creating a planisphere with both Western scientific and Boorong names for celestial objects. [14]

There is a perception that public education institutions uphold colonial narratives through their collections. To include and embrace Indigenous science in these institutions changes the way science is collected, stored, and shared and is therefore considered to help decolonise the Western scientific knowledge basis. [17] [12]

Right to dark skies

The practice of observing space is currently threatened by increasing satellite traffic in the outer space environment. [18] The crowding of Earth's orbit, particularly low-Earth orbit (LEO), by satellites poses a serious risk to practising astronomy due to satellite's visibility and disruption of the sky. [19] [18] Satellites are visible to the naked eye due to the reflection of sunlight. [18] The proposed introduction of satellite mega-constellations, such as Starlink into LEO could disrupt Indigenous astronomical practices and the transmission of knowledge, heritage, and culture. [18]

The Outer Space Treaty declares that outer space activity must occur in accordance with international law and for the benefit of all humankind. [18] Protections for the rights of Indigenous cultures exist in varying degrees of strength. The right to practise and revitalise cultural traditions by Indigenous groups is protected by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), which encompasses Indigenous astronomy, and their right to maintain their spiritual relationship with land. [18] However, the UNDRIP does not specifically protect the spiritual relationship of Indigenous peoples with space, and as a non-legally binding instrument, it may not be able to prevent the damage to Indigenous astronomy by increased satellite use. [18] However, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is stronger legislation protecting Indigenous culture and may aid Indigenous communities in securing a right to dark skies. [18] Progressive steps have been taken, such as the creation of ‘VisorSat’ by SpaceX to create less reflective and disruptive satellites, and the International Astronomical Union 2022 report on Quiet and Dark Skies raised the issue's profile and was presented at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. [18] Such steps could promote collaboration and the inclusion of Indigenous voices in the planning process for satellites in outer space.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archaeoastronomy</span> Interdisciplinary study of astronomies in cultures

Archaeoastronomy is the interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary study of how people in the past "have understood the phenomena in the sky, how they used these phenomena and what role the sky played in their cultures". Clive Ruggles argues it is misleading to consider archaeoastronomy to be the study of ancient astronomy, as modern astronomy is a scientific discipline, while archaeoastronomy considers symbolically rich cultural interpretations of phenomena in the sky by other cultures. It is often twinned with ethnoastronomy, the anthropological study of skywatching in contemporary societies. Archaeoastronomy is also closely associated with historical astronomy, the use of historical records of heavenly events to answer astronomical problems and the history of astronomy, which uses written records to evaluate past astronomical practice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beta Centauri</span> Star system in the constellation of Centaurus

Beta Centauri is a triple star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus. It is officially called Hadar. The Bayer designation of Beta Centauri is Latinised from β Centauri, and abbreviated Beta Cen or β Cen. The system's combined apparent visual magnitude of 0.61 makes it the second-brightest object in Centaurus and the eleventh brightest star in the night sky. According to parallax measurements from the astrometric Hipparcos satellite, the distance to this system is about 390 light-years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lambda Scorpii</span> Triple star system in the constellation Scorpius

Lambda Scorpii is a triple star system and the second-brightest object in the constellation of Scorpius. It is formally named Shaula; Lambda Scorpii is its Bayer designation, which is Latinised from λ Scorpii and abbreviated Lambda Sco or λ Sco. With an apparent visual magnitude of 1.62, it is one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SN 1054</span> Supernova in the constellation Taurus; visible from 1054 to 1056

SN 1054 is a supernova that was first observed on c. 4 July 1054, and remained visible until c. 6 April 1056.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upsilon Scorpii</span> Star in the constellation Scorpius

Upsilon Scorpii, formally named Lesath, is a star located in the "stinger" of the southern zodiac constellation of Scorpius, the scorpion. Based on parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is approximately 580 light-years from the Sun. In the night sky it lies near the 1.6 magnitude star Lambda Scorpii, and the two form an optical pair that is sometimes called the "Cat's Eyes".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sigma Scorpii</span> Multiple star system in the constellation of Scorpius

Sigma Scorpii, is a multiple star system in the constellation of Scorpius, located near the red supergiant Antares, which outshines it. This system has a combined apparent visual magnitude of +2.88, making it one of the brighter members of the constellation. Based upon parallax measurements made during the Hipparcos mission, the distance to Sigma Scorpii is roughly 696 light-years (214 parsecs). North et al. (2007) computed a more accurate estimate of 568+75
−59 light years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tau Scorpii</span> Star in the constellation of Scorpius

Tau Scorpii, Latinized from τ Scorpii, formally known as Paikauhale, is a star in the southern zodiac constellation of Scorpius. The apparent visual magnitude of Tau Scorpii is +2.8, while parallax measurements yield a distance estimate of roughly 470 light-years (150 parsecs) from Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Krupp</span> American astronomer

Edwin Charles Krupp is an American astronomer, researcher, author, and popularizer of science. He is an internationally recognized expert in the field of archaeoastronomy, the study of how ancient cultures viewed the sky and how those views affected their cultures. He has taught at the college level, as a planetarium lecturer, and in various documentary films. He has been the director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles since first taking over the position in 1974 after the departure of the previous director, William J. Kaufmann III. His writings include science papers and journal articles, astronomy magazine articles, books on astronomy and archaeoastronomy for adults, and books explaining sky phenomena and astronomy to children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star chart</span> Map of the night sky

A star chart is a celestial map of the night sky with astronomical objects laid out on a grid system. They are used to identify and locate constellations, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and planets. They have been used for human navigation since time immemorial. Note that a star chart differs from an astronomical catalog, which is a listing or tabulation of astronomical objects for a particular purpose. Tools using a star chart include the astrolabe and planisphere.

Australian Aboriginal astronomy is a name given to Aboriginal Australian culture relating to astronomical subjects – such as the Sun and Moon, the stars, planets, and the Milky Way, and their motions on the sky.

Cultural astronomy, sometimes called the study of Astronomy in Culture, has been described as investigating "the diversity of ways in which cultures, both ancient and modern, perceive celestial objects and integrate them into their view of the world." As such, it encompassed the interdisciplinary fields studying the astronomies of current or ancient societies and cultures. It developed from the two interdisciplinary fields of archaeoastronomy, the study of the use of astronomy and its role in ancient cultures and civilizations, and ethnoastronomy, "a closely allied research field which merges astronomy, textual scholarship, ethnology, and the interpretation of ancient iconography for the purpose of reconstructing lifeways, astronomical techniques, and rituals." It is also related to historical astronomy, history of astronomy and history of astrology.

The Sophia Centre was founded in the School of Historical and Cultural Studies at Bath Spa University in 2002, as the first University centre in the world to teach cultural astronomy and the history and culture of astrology.

Clive L. N. Ruggles is a British astronomer, archaeologist and academic. He is the author of academic and popular works on the subject. In 1999, he was appointed professor of archaeoastronomy at the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, when it is believed to have been the only appointed chair for archaeoastronomy among the world's universities. As of 2023, he was Emeritus Professor at this university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Norris (astrophysicist)</span> Australian astronomer

Ray Norris is an astrophysicist and science communicator, based at the CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility, and Western Sydney University, and conducts research in astrophysics and Aboriginal Astronomy.

The Australian Aboriginal Astronomy Project is a collaboration of academics, educators, and Indigenous elders researching the astronomical traditions and knowledge of Indigenous Australians, commonly termed Australian Aboriginal astronomy. This research in cultural astronomy covers the disciplines of archaeoastronomy, ethnoastronomy, historical astronomy, geomythology, and Indigenous knowledge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wurdi Youang</span>

Wurdi Youang is the name attributed to an Aboriginal stone arrangement located off the Little River – Ripley Road at Mount Rothwell, near Little River, Victoria in Australia. The site was acquired by the Indigenous Land Corporation on 14 January 2000 and transferred to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative on 17 August 2006.

George Michanowsky is known for his interpretation of rock art in Bolivia and Mesopotamian artefacts which he interpreted as referring to a supernova explosion in the Vela (constellation) which he dated to about 6000 years ago. He is described by Kenn Harper as a having "claimed to be a self-taught archaeologist, linguist, Egyptologist, epigrapher, and expert in Mesopotamian astronomy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nançay Radio Observatory</span> Radio observatory in France

The Nançay Radio Observatory, opened in 1956, is part of Paris Observatory, and also associated with the University of Orléans. It is located in the department of Cher in the Sologne region of France. The station consists of several instruments. Most iconic of these is the large decimetric radio telescope, which is one of the largest radio telescopes in the world. Long established are also the radio heliograph, a T-shaped array, and the decametric array operating at wavelengths between 3 m and 30 m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghillar Michael Anderson</span> Australian Aboriginal elder

Ghillar Michael Anderson, or Michael Ghillar Anderson, is a Euahlayi Elder and activist from Goodooga, New South Wales, in Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gullberg, S.R.; Hamacher, D.W.; Martin-Lopez, A.; Mejuto, J.; Munro, A.M.; Orchiston, W. (2020). "A cultural comparison of the 'dark constellations' in the milky way". Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage. 23 (2): 390–404. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2020.02.10. hdl: 11336/151485 . S2CID   225388397.
  2. ↑ Harris, Pauline; Matamua, Rangi; Smith, Takirirangi; Kerr, Hoturoa; Waaka, Toa (2013). "A review of Māori astronomy in Aotearoa-New Zealand". Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage. 16 (3): 325–336. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2013.03.08.
  3. ↑ Hamacher, Duane W. (30 November 2014). "Stories from the sky: astronomy in Indigenous knowledge". The Conversation. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lee, A.S.; Maryboy, N.; Begay, D.; Buck, W.; Catricheo, Y.; Hamacher, D.; Holbrook, J.; Kimura, K.; Knockwood, C.; Painting, T.K.; Varguez, M (2020). "Indigenous Astronomy: Best Practices and Protocols for Including Indigenous Astronomy in the Planetarium Setting". Proceedings of the 25th International Planetarium Society Conference IPS2020 Virtual Conference 3–7 August 2020. The International Planetarium Society: 69–77.
  5. ↑ Hamacher, D.; Fuller, R.S.; Leaman, T.M.; Bosun, D (2020). "Solstice and solar position observations in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions". Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage. 23 (1): 89–99. arXiv: 2001.08884 . doi:10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2020.01.05. S2CID   210911850.
  6. 1 2 3 Norris, R.P.; Hamacher, D.W (2015). Ruggles, C.L.N (ed.). Australian Aboriginal Astronomy - An Overview. In: Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy. New York: Springer Web. pp. 2215–2222.
  7. 1 2 Fuller, R.; Hamacher, D.W. (2014-01-12). "Australian Indigenous Astronomy: Bora Ceremonial Grounds and the Milky Way: a Connection?". Australian Indigenous Astronomy. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  8. ↑ Ammarrell, G.E. (1999). Bugis Navigation. New Haven: Yale University Press.
  9. 1 2 Ruggles, C.L.N (2015). "Archaeoastronomy in Polynesia". Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy. New York: Springer Web. pp. 2231–2245.
  10. ↑ Ruggles, C.L.N (2009). "Indigenous astronomies and progress in modern astronomy". Proceedings of the Special Session "Accelerating the Rate of Astronomical Discovery" of the 27th IAU General Assembly: 29–47.
  11. ↑ Medupe, T.R. (2015). "Indigenous Astronomy in Southern Africa". Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy. New York: Springer Web. pp. 1031–1036.
  12. 1 2 Esson, J.; Noxolo, P; Baxter, R; Daley, P; Byron, M (2017). "The 2017 RGS‐IBG chair's theme: Decolonising geographical knowledges, or reproducing coloniality?". Area. 49 (3): 384–388. doi:10.1111/area.12371. hdl:2134/25473?mode=full&submit_simple=Show%20full%20item%20record. S2CID   148867516.
  13. 1 2 Lee, A.S.; Brummel, S.; Ehret, K.; Komperud, S.; LaCoursiere, T (2020). "Building a framework for indigenous astronomy collaboration: native skywatchers, indigenous scientific knowledge systems, and the Bell Museum". Proceedings of the 25th International Planetarium Society Conference, IPS2020 Virtual Conference 3–7 August 2020. The International Planetarium Society.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Wyatt, G; Stevenson, T; Hamacher, D.W (2014). "'Dreamtime Astronomy: development of a new Indigenous program at Sydney Observatory'". Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage. 17 (2): 195–204. arXiv: 1405.2506 . doi:10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2014.02.06. S2CID   117146221.
  15. 1 2 Zampogna, Gretchen (2021-03-30). "Indigenous Astronomy & the Bell". Bell Museum. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  16. ↑ "Native Skywatchers - Projects". nativeskywatchers.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  17. ↑ Connell, R; Collyer, F; Maia, J; Morrell, R (2017). "Toward a global sociology of knowledge: Post-colonial realities and intellectual practices". International Sociology. 32 (1): 21–37. doi: 10.1177/0268580916676913 . S2CID   151737785.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Finnegan, C (2022). "Indigenous Interests in Outer Space: Addressing the Conflict of Increasing Satellite Numbers with Indigenous Astronomy Practices". Laws. 11 (2): 26–45. doi: 10.3390/laws11020026 .
  19. ↑ McDowell, J.C (2020). "The low earth orbit satellite population and impacts of the SpaceX Starlink constellation". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 892 (2): 36–46. arXiv: 2003.07446 . doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ab8016 . S2CID   212737092.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.