Guided Indigenous sky tour in Sydney Observatory in August

Sydney Observatory will celebrate Australia’s First Nations during the seven-day Sydney Science Festival with Celestial Emu, a riveting new short film pulled together by director Olivia Costa with help from Gamilaroi astrophysicist Karlie Noon and dancer Daniel Mateo.

Organised in collaboration with the Powerhouse Museum, the film will be accompanied by a guided sky tour and talk, offering guests a sharp sense of place as they learn about First Nations sky and explore a new exhibition, ‘I Put Stars on the Ground.’ This complementary exhibition will detail the relationship and deep cultural connection First Nations share with Sky Country, best explored before or after guests have taken the guided sky tour.

As Australia is starting to see more celestial activity throughout the year, this could be an insightful way to spend the evening looking at the sky through a different kind of lens.

Gail Mabo, daughter of renowned Torres Strait Island land rights activist Eddie Mabo, will be on hand during the two nights to provide further context to First Nations sky, her insights complemented with a soulful performance by Wiradjuri/Gadigal artist Akala Newman who will be singing in Gadigal as guests scan the night for constellations.

The event will be split into four sessions on Tuesday, August 13 and Wednesday, August 14, with tickets set at $25 for general admission, $20 for concession, and $15 for children. The first will start at 5:30pm and run until 6:45pm, while the second section runs from 7pm to 8:15pm.

Celestial Emu

Address: Sydney Observatory, Watson Road, The Rocks NSW 2000
When: Tuesday, August 13 – Wednesday, August 14; 5:30pm OR 7pm
Contact: (02) 9217 0222
Tickets: $15 – $25

powerhouse.com.au