The Night Skies of Ancient Japan
Schedule
Sat, 14 Jun, 2025 at 07:00 pm
UTC+09:30Location
Adelaide Planetarium | Adelaide, SA
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Paul CurnowAdelaide Planetarium
University of South Australia
Abstract: In the history of Japan, astronomy played an important part of their cosmography. Like many cultures, some Japanese gods were said to live in the sky. Japan is made up of many different islands and regions, so names for celestial objects can vary widely depending on the area. In this talk I will introduce to Japan and how the Ancient Japanese believe the cosmos came into existence. I will show you the known Japanese constellations, and you will be able to see how their view of the night sky differed to the western view of the stars above. (Not suitable for children under the age of 16-years).
Bio: Paul Curnow is a world-renowned astronomer, and after 33-years is South Australia’s longest serving planetarium lecturer. He has been a member of the Field Geology Club of South Australia since 1992. In 2002, he served as a southern sky specialist for visiting U.S. and British astronomers who were in Australia for the total solar eclipse. After three decades of research, he is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on Australian Aboriginal night sky knowledge; and in 2004, he worked in conjunction with the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Planetarium in Ohio, on the creation of a show that features Indigenous Australian stories of the night sky. Moreover, from 2018-2025, he has served as a consultant on Indigenous Astronomy for the Australian Space Agency.
In addition, Paul runs several popular courses for the public that focus on the constellations, planetary astronomy, meteoritics, historical astronomy and ethnoastronomy, which primarily deals with how the night sky is seen by non-western cultures. He appeared as the keynote speaker at the inaugural 2010 Lake Tyrrell Star Party in Sea Lake, Victoria and in 2011 was a special guest speaker at the Carter Observatory in Wellington, New Zealand. Since 2012 Paul has taken the role of Lecturer for the ‘Astronomy & the Universe’ course (EDUC2066); and between 2019-2021 for ‘Science’ (EDUC 2030) for the School of Education at the University of South Australia.
Moreover, since 2021 he has been a member of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Advisory Committee; and in 2023 completed a U.S. lecture tour, where he was a special invited guest speaker at several planetariums, colleges, and universities. Paul appears regularly in the media and has authored over 50 articles on astronomy.
To be held at the Adelaide Planetarium (upstairs), Building P, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus. Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes SA 5095. *BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL*. Cost $26.00 per person.
Contact the Adelaide Planetarium at 8302 3138 or email the planetarium at [email protected] for general enquiries.
This event is suitable for audiences 16+ and above only.
REGISTRATION CANCELLATIONS
*Please note tickets are non-refundable*
ENQUIRIES OR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Name: Allison Price
Company Name: University of South Australia
Telephone: (08) 8302 3138
Email: [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
Adelaide Planetarium, Building P, Mawson Lakes SA,Adelaide,SA,AustraliaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
