The First Astronomers: How Indigenous Elders read the stars

by Duane Hamacher

The First Astronomers is the first book to reveal the rich knowledge of the stars and the planets held by First Peoples around the world.

Our eyes have been drawn away from the skies to our screens. We no longer look to the stars to forecast the weather, predict the seasons or plant our gardens. Most of us cannot even see the Milky Way. But First Nations Elders around the world still maintain this knowledge, and there is much we can learn from them.

These Elders are expert observers of the stars. They teach that everything on the land is reflected in the sky, and everything in the sky is reflected on the land. How does this work, and how can we better understand our place in the universe?

Guided by six First Nations Elders, Duane Hamacher takes us on a journey across space and time to reveal the wisdom of the first astronomers. These living systems of knowledge challenge conventional ideas about the nature of science and the longevity of oral tradition. Indigenous science is dynamic, adapting to changes in the skies and on Earth, pointing the way for a world facing the profound disruptions of climate change.

'This book marks a profound paradigm shift in our understanding of Indigenous scientific traditions, how they are transmitted, and their relevance to life today.' - Professor Marcia Langton, University of Melbourne

'A ground-breaking book of enormous scope.' - Brian Schmidt, Nobel Laureate in Physics

'A glimpse into Indigenous ways of reading landscapes reflected in the night sky through ancient processes of inquiry.' - Dr Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk

'A wonderful combination of scholarship and poetry.' - Dr Annette S. Lee, Lakota astrophysicist

'Beautiful, engaging, and startlingly profound.' - Alan Duffy, Professor of Astrophysics

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Australia, Indigenous, Astronomy, History, Nature

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2022

About the author

Duane Hamacher is Associate Professor of Cultural Astronomy in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne. He earned graduate degrees in astrophysics and the social sciences and has appeared on TEDx, The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, and many other high profile local and international programs. He serves as an expert consultant for UNESCO and works for Indigenous elders in the Torres Strait and around the world to document traditional star knowledge for educational programs and public understanding.

For more details about the Elders and Knowledge Holders www.thefirstastronomers.com

Reviews

[Sheree | Keeping Up With The Penguins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though Hamacher dumbed it down as much as he could, I’m sure, a lot of the content of The First Astronomer went over my head. I was more interested in how First Nations people applied what they observed, using the stars to predict weather, navigate, encode Law, etc. Hamacher mentions these applications, but his focus is more on what they saw and why/when they saw it. Proper stargazers – amateur and advanced – will enjoy The First Astronomers and get a lot out of it. Readers like me might need a few more for-dummies guides first, though.

Read my full review of The First Astronomers on Keeping Up With The Penguins.

[Jim KABLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking to the “Stars” to Find our Way on Earth - Led by First Nations Intelligence.

Trevor Leaman, Bob Fuller, Corey Tutt - and now this extraordinary book from Duane Hamacher - firmly placing First Nations understanding as indeed first to observe, to identify the meanings - this celestial body there in the heavens having implications for weather, the seasons, when to plant and so forth and the stories behind the constellations or their dark spaces as moral guidelines - the law. Duane Hamacher writes with respect for all those around Australia and in other First Nations places around the world acknowledging those who have guided him by name. I found this a genuine page-turner - gripping - and I learnt so much about astronomy and weather patterns, about finding one’s way in the general Western sense - too. This is a most impressive addition to world knowledge.

[Lidya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had always known to some degree the depth and timelessness of Indigenous knowledge, however, having concrete examples of Indigenous groups all over the world, not just in Australia, interweaving their knowledge of the skies into their traditions and knowledge systems was mind-blowing. It really is so upsetting how colonialism has affected how we view science in Western and non-Western spaces and to see that Indigenous people have had complex and accurate techniques to read their world and how those can still have practical and contemporary applications really feels like we've been actively putting ourselves at a disadvantage by not utilising or appreciating them earlier. Definitely a recommended read!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fascinating to read! It insightfully explored First Nations astronomy and showed it’s under-utilised connection to the western study of astronomy. It really makes the reader question how much more western astronomy would have advanced if western astronomers had consulted and collaborated with First Nations knowledge.

[Toni Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never tagged a book before now! Absolutely fantastic. Full of brilliant information and stories. A must for anyone who enjoys astronomy.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how I missed the news that the fifth star of the Southern Cross has officially been named Ginan.

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The twinkling stars are not a hindrance… They serve a critically important role.”

This is a deeply illuminating and respectful exploration of Indigenous star knowledge, told in collaboration with six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders. Hamacher, a Western-trained astrophysicist, approaches this subject with humility and reverence, allowing space for voices that are too often marginalised in scientific discourse.

What stood out to me most was the book’s central argument: that Indigenous science is not only valid but vital—rich in nuance, grounded in place, and essential to understanding our environment in a time of climate crisis. The Elders teach us that the sky and land are mirrors of one another, woven into story, ceremony, and survival.

Each chapter is structured around an astronomical theme—wandering stars, twinkling stars, navigational stars—and shows how these celestial bodies carry meaning, wisdom, and practical knowledge passed down through robust oral traditions. While some scientific detail might stretch readers without a background in astronomy, the storytelling remains accessible and engaging.

This isn’t just a book about the stars—it’s about perspective. It challenges Western definitions of science, offering instead a holistic, living system of knowledge that is both ancient and adaptive. In doing so, it also asks us to rethink what counts as expertise, and who gets to be called a scientist.

Essential reading for anyone interested in astronomy, Indigenous knowledge systems, or the decolonisation of science. Powerful, profound, and timely. 🌌

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We all inherit this ancient knowledge but only if we respect it”.

Indigenous knowledge is complex and scientific. It comes from observations, stories, recollections, analysis, wisdom passed through generations across thousands of years. Aboriginal people have been able to maintain such a body of knowledge about the stars and pass it down through oral traditional stories. This book, “The First Astronomers” debunks the beliefs that Indigenous knowledge does not contain science: in fact, the insights it provides is so valuable to many of the problems our world faces today.

A poignant part of this book for me was when Hamacher talked about the legal proceedings of Mao where a judge travelled to the Torres Strait where an Elder explained the songs, the history and tradition that led to the winning of sea rights. The application and acceptance of Indigenous Knowledge as part of “western science” is integral – it is so much older and it demonstrates “deep levels of understanding about the world”.

Galileo may have been describing the stars and auroras in the 1600s, however the extraordinary observational skills of the Indigenous people around the world, including the First Nations peoples of Australia were captured in story and artefacts for thousands of years earlier. Indigenous astronomy is “the astronomy of First Peoples, and it is the astronomy that existed and thrived before the advent of Western science”.

[Thaveesha Piyasiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is culturally significant as it manages to intertwine traditional indigenous astronomy with its more familiar Western counterparts. Hamacher highlights the similarities of the findings and how native populations were the first to note these astrological changes. It was interesting to read about the relationship between constellations, traditional ceremonies and ecological sustainability. Having these small windows to hunt certain animals showed the sustainable balance most native populations kept.

Similarly, the indigenous elders illustrate the devastating effects when this sustainability and respect for the ecosystem is broken. The previously used astronomy methods of predicting conditions have started becoming more and more unreliable due to the effects of climate change. This was evident in the Omo Valley droughts which was followed by intense flooding, resulting in 456 deaths and 20 000 displaced.

The book was highly successful in spotlighting the importance and the vast array of knowledge tucked away in oral traditions. Ultimately, Hamacher makes you wonder how far Australia would be ahead as a country if we worked with the native population rather dismissed their teachings. It would be amazing if planetariums started teaching native stories along with their usual content.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a handy introduction to the varied practice of astronomy by Aboriginal and, especially, Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hamacher covers both topics which overlap with Western astronomy - how navigation can be achieved via stars, for example, or what was understood about eclipses, and those which do not, such as the information which can be gleaned about weather from star and sun observation. This is a book for those interested in astronomy - it is not overly technical, but it is focused on science. Humacher introduces a wide array of Tjukurrpa discussed, it is often in the context of how this might have reflected astronomical phenomena. It is very readable, though, and certainly made me want to go back to somewhere I could stars properly again.

[SS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very detailed. I thought it would be more first nation people star stories, which it does contain but the strong linkage to western astronomy makes it a little chunkier than I expected. It is a brilliant resource, particularly for Australian Aboriginal star knowledge. It does touch on a number of other first nations star knowledge, but the Australian first nations' star knowledge dominates the first nations perspective.

Thanks for taking the time to document all of this knowledge and to the first nations people for sharing this knowledge with the broader audience.

I acknowledge the First Nations people of Australia, past, present and emerging.

[Han Reardon-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty extraordinary primer to beginning to recognise the depth and breadth of Indigenous knowledges, and the integration of understandings that connects peoples with not only the world around them/us, but with the entire universe. Deeply respectful of the Elders and Knowledge Holders who have generously shared their teachings, Hamacher writes for a non-Indigenous audience to help loosen the grip of Eurological white-settler epistemology-supremacy, demonstrating that Euro/settler science is not the only way of knowing and very often not the best or most accurate way of knowing.

[Alli_aye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and enthralling. An excellent look at primarily Australian Indigenous and also other Indigenous groups around the world, about how they learnt about the world, how it was applied and taught down generations.
Well written, interesting stories.

Narrator was good. However, it’s an absolutely missed opportunity for an author asserting his respect for Indigenous astronomers, but couldn’t get an Indigenous narrator.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. The photos at the back were good and the diagrams through the text but I would have liked more diagrams to help in understanding his descriptions of the stars. Very wide-ranging but only touches the surface of the First People's knowledge.

[Helena B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our eyes have been drawn away from the skies to our screens. We no longer look to the stars to forecast the weather, predict the seasons or plant our gardens. Most of us cannot even see the Milky Way. But First Nation Elders around the world still maintain this knowledge, and there is much we can learn from them.

These Elders are expert observers of the stars. They teach that everything on the land is reflected in the sky, and everything in the sky is reflected on the land. How does this work, and how can we better understand our place in the universe?

—
My thoughts (with some spoilers):

I’m sure that Duane simplified this book as much as he could but the majority of this went well over my head.

The book looked on how the First Nations people focused on what they saw and why/when they saw it. I would have liked to have read more on how they use the stars to predict the weather, navigate etc. But I did like how it linked First Nations astronomy to western studies of it. But as always, more could be done to really understand and connect the First Nations understanding of the stars to the wests thoughts.

If you know a little bit about astronomy then you’ll probably get a fair bit out of this book. I might just need to read up a touch bit more before I attempt it again. In saying that, I did learn some very interesting facts about the stars above us.

[Martyn Tilse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two months seems such a long time to take to read a book. But some books do take time to read and “The First Astronomers” was such a book for me. Somehow I needed time to think about it and mull it over.

I fear I have deep prejudices, learned back in school, about indigenous knowledge. When we read our newly developed Social Studies Book in the early 1950s, indigenous Australians seemed shadowy black figures lurking in the shade of distant gum trees. All the energy and interest revolved around the white soldiers and colonists opening up a new and almost empty land.

I imagined that these phantoms, lurking in the margins, were some how amazed and grateful. Amazed by the energy and brilliance of these strange white men and their weapons and grateful that they were being promoted from the Stone Age to the Age of Steel.

I have learned so much since then but I have been slow to replace those childhood prejudices. I am trying and this book is one of several I have read to understand the true nature of the pre-existing Australians that we invaded and pushed aside.

An interesting book, full of knowledge but simply written and easy to understand.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant introductory audiobook to Indigenous astronomy knowledge. The author acknowledges in the introduction that he really only touches the surface with what he was shown by Indigenous elders.
Much of it I already had a little knowledge about myself, some is covered in most folktales around the world and I was already introduced to Songlines:Tracking the Seven Sisters in the excellent 2017 exhibition by the Museum of Australia.
Dark Emu and some navigating stars were not new to me.
I was surprised that I didn't hear him mention Karlie Noon's work, he did mention a couple of other Indigenous Astronomers with doctorates.
My next book on the subject will be Karlie Noon's book Astronomy: Sky Country

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author uses 'indigenous' broadly supplementing the Torres Strait knowledge which he gathered as part of his own academic career, with indigenous knowledge drawn from cultures across the globe and history. The work is valuable in terms of presenting a breadth of knowledge that has been largely discounted as 'myth', and the exploration of the same phenomena explained by different stories across the globe highlighted our common humanity. But I feel as if he was trying too hard on proving its scientific (in the formal, academic sense of the word) credentials, instead of perhaps exploring whether the term 'scientific' is broad enough to capture the nature of knowledge more generally.
For my complete review, please visit:
https://residentjudge.com/2023/10/30/...

[Jaspinder Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First Astronomers does a great job at opening the eyes of its readers to other ways of knowing, and highlights the knowledge and culture of Indigenous people from all parts of the world. Whether you are a history buff, an avid sky gazer or a professional astronomer, this book will open your mind to broader horizons. 4.5 stars.

“Our traditions around the stars go back to ancient times. It’s connected to everything in our entire being and who we are in the world. For Indigenous people, it’s not just the land and the sea. It’s also the sky and in using those reference points. It assigns not just who we are, but our responsibilities as well.”

[Jim Rimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sensational book that stargazers like myself are likely to froth over but should be read by everybody else.

On one hand it would be easy to file some of the information shared under the newer paradigm of stating the incredibly obvious - humans should eat fresh fruit and vegetables, we should move more, and First Nations people across the world know a lot. On the other hand, First Nations people across the world know a lot. Like a lot a lot. And many more people should listen to what they've got to say.

Hopefully Hamacher's book helps open doors and minds.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first got interested in this topic while teaching high school science in Solomon Islands. What was the point teaching a whole lot of European myth used to identify constellations? So I asked my students to tell me the stories they grew up with. Hamacher is a professional astronomer who spent a good deal of time with indigenous Australians, learning their lore of the heavens. At times he extends this to indigenous knowledge across the world. Fascinating.

[Shereen Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This opened my eyes to how Indigenous knowledge is complex and scientific. It comes from observations, stories, recollections, analysis, wisdom passed through generations across thousands of years.
known to some degree the depth and timelessness of Indigenous knowledge, however, having concrete examples of Indigenous groups all over the world, not just in Australia, interweaving their knowledge of the skies into their traditions and knowledge is just amazing to read about.

[Whitley Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traversing Indigenous and Western Science, this is a fantastic non-fiction work about our skies. I could feel the love the author has for First Nations Australians, their culture, stories, lessons and knowledge, and how modern enquiries ought look to the Traditional Elders for guidance and answers. I have a science background but no astrophysics knowledge, so I found most of the information fascinating. The author’s writing is impeccable with concepts flowing from chapter to chapter✨

[Stéphane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for nature lovers. Learn how Aboriginals and First Nation People across the globe have known about astrology, geography and nature for thousands of years, way ahead of "Western World". See the wealth of knowledge that these people had, how the "Western World has been condescendent towards it. Discover that First Nation People were both people of culture and people of science.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me whole new perspective on indigenous cultures aroud the world and what it would be like to reply on the natural, specifically including the astronomical, world for all of your season activities. I will never look up at the night sky without thinking about this book. Highly recommended though reads a bit like a list.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: racism, colonisation, mentions of death

Honestly one of my books of the year.

Colonisation erases already-known truths of astronomy that indigonous people discovered far before western astronomers 'discovered' them. This is a brilliant anti-racist history of the stars as told by indigonous Elders and Knowledge holders, aptly recorded (with permission).

[Steven Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who’s not an astronomer I found this book compelling regardless. So many touch points across cultures and serves as a good intro text to astronomy more generally, with the equal focus on Indigenous knowledge and it’s continuing proven insights. A cutting edge book of academic ideas that are presented in an engaging and accessible manner.

[Joanne Georgiou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book, but I just couldn't finish it. I was also hoping to learn more about how Aboriginal people incorporated the solar system patterns into their lifestyle, but found that this was more about the stories of the stars rather than what they did. Maybe a bit too factual for my wandering mind.

[Jim Fettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough, insightful, and masterfully told. A must-read for any budding astronomer, and an excellent blueprint for scientists eager to collaborate with traditional knowledge holders to break new ground in the field.

[Naomi'sBookObsession❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fascinating read about Indigenous Astronomy, giving some insight into their 65,000 years of looking to the stars to guide them and their stories behind the constellations.
Very Enlightening and Educational and has furthered my appreciation for the First Nations around the world.