The First Astronomers cover art

The First Astronomers

How Indigenous Elders read the stars

 Preview
This Season's Biggest Deal

$0.99/mo for 3 months + $20 Audible bonus voucher

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 28 December, 2026.
More purchase options

The First Astronomers

By: Duane Hamacher
Narrated by: Adam Sims
Get this deal

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends 28 December, 2026. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $22.64

Buy Now for $22.64

This Season's Biggest Deal | $0.99/mo for 3 months + $20 Audible bonus

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo. after 3 months - terms apply.
Summary
 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©2022 Duane Hamacher (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Indigenous Studies Science Social Sciences Specific Demographics Astrology
All stars
Most relevant
Respect for the deep understanding of natural interactions between astrology and effects on earth. So much knowledge and culture

New awareness and respect for knowledge held.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My favourite book this year, recommend highly to anyone interested in astronomy. Great fusion between western/ modern and indigenous/ ancient observations and 'translation' for understanding.

once is not enough!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Finally an astronomers book I can get my head around and really get that feeling we know so little, there is so much fun by just looking up and paying attention to what really is the ultimate!

Brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A thorough and insightful journey through traditional star knowledges. The detail is expansive, covering understanding across cultures in what is now known as Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere around the world. Strongly recommended.

A must-read for any budding astronomer

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.