Paul Curnow
Adelaide Planetarium
University of South Australia
Abstract: The night sky is a giant cosmic storyboard. It is filled with constellations, patterns, and is rich in lore. For aeons people have sat under the stars and told stories, and all cultures seem to have legends about the night sky. In this lecture under the dome of the Adelaide Planetarium, I will tell you about some of the various cultural views of the night sky, and the stories that relate to them. I will tell you about star names, their meanings, and origins. Moreover, I will take you on a cultural and scientific journey across the night sky.
Bio: Paul Curnow (B.Ed.) is a world-renowned educator and astronomer, and after 33-years is South Australia’s longest serving planetarium lecturer. 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. He has been a member of the Field Geology Club of South Australia since 1992.
Moreover, from 2021-2024 was an advisor for 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
YWRlbGFpZGUgISBwbGFuZXRhcml1bSB8IHVuaXNhICEgZWR1ICEgYXU= for general enquiries.
This event is only suitable for audiences 16 and above.
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:
YWRlbGFpZGUgISBwbGFuZXRhcml1bSB8IHVuaXNhICEgZWR1ICEgYXU=
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