Duane Hamacher (Macquarie University)

"Breaking News: Crater Discovery Proves Aboriginal Legend!" - Fact vs Fiction - Duane Hamacher Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

A sensational story appeared in the Australian and global media during the last week of December 2009 that claimed an Aboriginal Dreaming story was used to find a newly discovered Meteorite crater. However, much of what was reported was misleading or outright wrong. Hamacher, who works with Ray Norris studying the astronomy of Aboriginal Australians, will clarify the facts of the discovery and present the work he has been undertaking for the last year on Aboriginal views of comets, meteors and cosmic impacts. He will discuss Aboriginal accounts of meteorite falls that indicate these events were witnessed firsthand and how these accounts may lead to new discoveries, including a discussion about the newly discovered Puka crater in central Australia.