Indigenous Australians Track Time With Stars

Why this is here: The Wangel constellation, based on the bright orange star Pollux, helped Indigenous Australians know when to travel and gather for ceremonies.

Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa astronomer and ecologist shares how Indigenous Australians traditionally use the stars for navigation, ceremonies, and sustainable practices across Australia. For tens of thousands of years, constellations like Wangel (the turtle) and Djurt (the parrot) have signaled travel times and abundant food sources. These star patterns also connect to songlines—cultural pathways marking important resources.

However, increasing light pollution from cities now obscures the night sky. This makes it difficult to pass down this ancient knowledge to younger generations and harms nocturnal animals like microbats and nightjars, which hold cultural significance for some communities. While France regulates outdoor lighting, Australia currently has no such laws.

Simple changes—turning off lights, using warmer bulbs, and closing curtains—can help. Continued advocacy for regulation and mindful habits may preserve this knowledge for future generations.