The Adelaide Planetarium at the University of South Australia in conjunction with NAIDOC Week presents

Paul Curnow
Adelaide Planetarium
University of South Australia

Abstract: Aboriginal Australians have been looking at the night sky for thousands of years. During this time they have been able to build up a complex knowledge of the stars and their movements. Come and learn how to find the different constellations (stellar patterns) as seen by indigenous groups throughout Australia. Hear about the Dreaming stories that relate to the night sky, and learn about how constellations like the Southern Cross and Orion are seen by Aboriginal Australians. The evening is strictly designed for the adult beginner, with little or no astronomical knowledge who would like to know more about the night sky and the constellations, as seen by the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia. (Note: children below the age of 16-years not permitted).

Bio: Paul Curnow [B.ED] has been a lecturer at the Adelaide Planetarium since 1992. He was the recipient of the ASSA editor’s award for 2000; 2010; and then again in 2013. In 2002, he served as a southern sky specialist for visiting U.S. and British astronomers who were in Australia for the total solar eclipse. After 27-years of research, he is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on Australian Aboriginal night sky knowledge; and in 2004, he worked in conjunction with the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Planetarium in Ohio, on the creation of a show that features Indigenous Australian stories of the night sky. In addition, Paul runs a number of popular courses for the general public that focus on the constellations, planetary astronomy, historical astronomy and ethnoastronomy, which primarily deals with how the night sky is seen by non-western cultures. He appeared as the keynote speaker at the inaugural 2010 Lake Tyrrell Star Party in Sea Lake, Victoria and in 2011 was a special guest speaker at the Carter Observatory in Wellington, New Zealand. Since 2012 Paul has taken the role of Lecturer for the Astronomy & Universe course (EDUC2066) for the School of Education at the University of South Australia. In 2018, he was made an Honorary Life Member of the Astronomical Society of South Australia for his contributions to astronomy. Paul appears regularly in the media and has authored over 50 articles on astronomy.

To be held at the Adelaide Planetarium (upstairs), Building P, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus. Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes SA 5095.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Cost $35.00 per person. Enrolments are subject to the seating capacity of the planetarium, so book early to avoid disappointment – to make a booking or for further information phone 8302 3138; BOOK ONLINE at https://www.conferenceonline.com/bookingform/index.cfm?page=booking&object=conference&id=22219&bookingid=0&categorykey=6A507C26-49EF-4782-86C0-853B524B6BF8&CFID=7162026&CFTOKEN=569ee45461eb41e7-C61FA201-BCC1-C078-0B3F9B81DACFE5FB or email the planetarium at adelaide.planetarium@unisa.edu.au. To make general course content enquiries only; contact Paul Curnow at starmanzone@adam.com.au