Unique Wajarri planispheres share connection to sky and Country

BY SKAO, CSIRO & ICRAR

The charts feature the Aboriginal constellation of Yalibirri, the “emu in the sky”, whose seasonal orientation is used by the Wajarri Yamaji to determine the most productive times of the year to search for emu eggs.

Yalibirri, overlaid on the southern stars, is seen with a lowered head as summer turns to winter, alerting the Wajarri Yamaji that nesting season is approaching and it’s a productive time to hunt. The planispheres feature the artwork of Wajarri artist Judith Anaru.

The Wajarri Yamaji are the Traditional Owners and native title holders of Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, where the SKALow telescope will be built.

Judith Anaru said: “The emu in the sky will always be a part of my family for generations, and to be a part of this planisphere project is another way of preserving and sharing our Wajarri stories.”

The planisphere’s publication shares a small part of the rich Wajarri culture and their connection to sky and Country.

Profits from the sale of the planispheres will be reinvested to develop further Aboriginal Astronomy opportunities in Western Australia.

SKAO Director of Communications, Outreach and Education William Garnier said: “These charts were created in collaboration with the Wajarri community and key partners in Australia.

“Their production provides an opportunity for Wajarri culture to be shared globally, just one of the many ways such a rich heritage will be on the world stage now that the SKA-Low telescope is being constructed on Wajarri Country.

“As construction moves forward, we will be looking at forging even closer links with Indigenous communities in both Australia and South Africa, and exploring more opportunities for working together and helping preserve and promote their culture and heritage.”

The Wajarri planisphere was developed through an International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) initiative, funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency – and the SKAO. Development of the planisphere was managed by Astrotourism WA.

More of Anaru’s paintings feature in the SKAO’s Shared Sky exhibition – a travelling gallery of artworks created by artists from Indigenous communities around the SKA telescope sites.

Wajarri artist Judith Anaru and the planisphere featuring her art and story at the on-Country planisphere launch in October.

Credit: ICRAR