Kirsten Banks: The aboriginal knowledge stored in the stars

The aboriginal knowledge stored in the stars

How many stars can you see at night? If you’re part of the 80% of the global population that experiences light pollution, probably not many–but it hasn’t always been this way. Indigenous cultures around the world have studied the stars since long before the industrial era. Indigenous Australian astrophysicist Kirsten Banks tells us about how Aboriginal cultures used the night sky for learning and for survival.

Modern city lights have erased most of the stars from view, hiding not just beauty but thousands of years of cultural knowledge. In many places, only five percent of stars are visible compared to what could once be seen. Indigenous Australians, among others, have used the night sky for survival, law, and timing for over 65,000 years. Losing access to this natural darkness means losing an irreplaceable connection to history, science, and tradition.