Profile: Matthew Colless

Bhathal, Ragbir

doi:10.1111/j.1468-4004.2008.49516.x

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…It is hopefully not far-fetched to imagine a future Australia in which Aboriginal languages are taught as second languages in Australian high schools (in the same way that Welsh is taught in schools in Wales) and that Aboriginal ethnoscience is part of the Australian science curriculum. Aboriginal Astronomy is starting to be a significant and effective component of education and outreach activities (Bhathal 2008(Bhathal , 2011aHollow & Sim 2008;Hollow et al 2015;Pring 2002Pring , 2006aPring , 2006bWyatt, Stephenson, & Hamacher 2014). Norris (2014) has argued that Indigenous Astronomy can be used to teach students the basic motivation of science.…”

Section: The European History Of Aboriginal Astronomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Dawes Review 5: Australian Aboriginal Astronomy and Navigation

Norris

2016

Publ. Astron. Soc. Aust.

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The traditional cultures of Aboriginal Australians include a significant astronomical component, perpetuated through oral tradition, ceremony, and art. This astronomical knowledge includes a deep understanding of the motion of objects in the sky, which was used for practical purposes such as constructing calendars and for navigation. There is also evidence that traditional Aboriginal Australians made careful records and measurements of cyclical phenomena, recorded unexpected phenomena such as eclipses and meteorite impacts, and could determine the cardinal points to an accuracy of a few degrees. Putative explanations of celestial phenomena appear throughout the oral record, suggesting traditional Aboriginal Australians sought to understand the natural world around them, in the same way as modern scientists, but within their own cultural context. There is also a growing body of evidence for sophisticated navigational skills, including the use of astronomically based songlines. Songlines are effectively oral maps of the landscape, and are an efficient way of transmitting oral navigational skills in cultures that do not have a written language. The study of Aboriginal astronomy has had an impact extending beyond mere academic curiosity, facilitating cross-cultural understanding, demonstrating the intimate links between science and culture, and helping students to engage with science.Keywords: history and philosophy of astronomy PrefaceThe Dawes Reviews are substantial reviews of topical areas in astronomy, published by authors of international standing at the invitation of the PASA Editorial Board. The reviews recognise William Dawes (1762-1836), second lieutenant in the Royal Marines and the astronomer on the First Fleet. Dawes was not only an accomplished astronomer, but spoke five languages, had a keen interest in botany, mineralogy, engineering, cartography, and music, compiled the first Aboriginal-English dictionary, and was an outspoken opponent of slavery. Warning to Aboriginal ReadersThis paper may contain names and images of people who are deceased.

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Section: The European History Of Aboriginal Astronomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Dawes Review 5: Australian Aboriginal Astronomy and Navigation

Norris

2016

Publ. Astron. Soc. Aust.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Profile: Matthew Colless

Cited by 1 publication

References 12 publications

Dawes Review 5: Australian Aboriginal Astronomy and Navigation

Dawes Review 5: Australian Aboriginal Astronomy and Navigation

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