indigenous astronomy Archives

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 by Nancy Atkinson

Australia’s Parkes Telescope Just Got a New Name: Murriyang, Which Means “Skyworld”

The three telescopes at CSIRO’s Parkes Observatory. Credit: Red Empire Media/CSIRO.

Australia’s iconic 64-meter Parkes radio telescope has been given a new traditional name to recognize the Wiradjuri, who own the land on which the telescope sits. The Wiradjuri are some of Australia’s First People who have occupied the continent and its adjacent islands for over 65,000 years.

The telescope received the name Murriyang, which represents the ‘Skyworld’ where a prominent creator spirit of the Wiradjuri Dreaming, Biyaami (Baiame), lives. The two smaller telescopes at CSIRO’s Parkes Observatory also received Wiradjuri names.

June 11, 2019June 11, 2019 by Susie Murph

Ep. 533: Indigenous South African Astronomy

Let’s move to another continent this week, and look at the astronomy that was going on in southern Africa in ancient times.
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May 27, 2019June 11, 2019 by Susie Murph

Ep. 531: Australian Indigenous Astronomy

This week, we focus on the archaeoastronomy of another part of the world, this time from the indigenous people of Australia. Another group of people whose lives depended on knowing what was happening in the sky from season to season.
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