Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always been keen observers with a legacy of scientific pursuit that spans over 65,000+ years.
Over the millennia, the world has borne witness to the rise and fall of ancient cultures globally. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have sustained an unwavering presence in Australia throughout this time, maintaining healthy diverse landscapes and bearing witness to extraordinary geological and astrophysical events that persist only in oral record, otherwise being lost to history.
Their annual positions stay the same, however on the timescale of 65,000 years our night skies have seen remarkable shifts. This is due to the 26,000-year cycle over which the Earth wobbles on its axis and brings new stars into focus.
Traditional knowledge systems have been built on careful observations across an unfathomably long time span, resulting in intrinsically interconnected understandings of how Country, Sea Country, and Sky Country intersect.
Many Aboriginal communities emphasise the prominence of the land-sky connection; an understanding that what is found above in Sky Country is reflected into the landscape below. A duality that applies to all animals, plants, beings and features of the landscape.
Paying close attention to the rate of twinkling of stars, their changing colours from red to blues, and their haziness help to forecast specific weather events and seasonal change.
Each star holds layers of meaning waiting to be observed — acting much like individual encyclopaedias in the library of the night sky.
As an astronomer, light pollution is irritating as it impacts our ability to conduct observations and collect astrophysical data.
As an Aboriginal woman, light pollution is devastating as it hides our library of stars used to guide a healthy and informed engagement with Country.
For me, light pollution is particularly insidious due to its catastrophic impact on native species which we bear responsibility to protect. These species not only form part of our interconnected knowledge system, but also rely on the light cues in their environments to sustain themselves, many using light to navigate and seek shelter.
Reassurance can be found in recognising that unlike many other pollutants, removing light pollution from an ecosystem can be as simple as turning off the lights.