Fire in the sky: The southern lights in Indigenous oral traditions

Authors: Duane W. Hamacher

arXiv: 1504.04597v1 - DOI (physics.hist-ph)
Originally published in The Conversation, 2 April 2015, 6.09am AEDT

Abstract: Parts of Australia have been privileged to see dazzling lights in the night sky as the Aurora Australis (known as the southern lights) puts on a show this year. Aurorae are significant in Australian Indigenous astronomical traditions. Aboriginal people associate aurorae with fire, death, blood, and omens, sharing many similarities with Native American communities.

Submitted to arXiv on 08 Apr. 2015

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