Australian Aboriginals may have been first astronomers

THE FORMAL study of astronomy may have arisen first among the Aboriginals of Australia, who were intrigued not just by the stars but also the dark gaps where stars were absent.

The Aboriginals' interest could have dated back 40,000 years, according to Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest, who last night delivered a lecture at Trinity College Dublin describing the history of astronomy through the ages.

The lecture will be repeated tonight at 8pm in Cork at Jury's Hotel, Western Road.

While Australia's indigenous population might lay claim to being the earliest astronomers, Ireland's Newgrange ranks as the world's oldest known astronomical structure. Created more than 5,000 years ago it easily predates both the Egyptian pyramids and the standing stones of Britain's Stonehenge, Couper and Henbest told their audience.

The talk was organised by Astronomy Ireland and supported by Discover Science and Engineering.

The speakers also signed copies of their new book, The History of Astronomy, a lavish production featuring some of the latest images available from sources including the Hubble Space Telescope.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times