Indigenous use of stellar scintillation to predict weather and seasonal change

TL;DR

Indigenous communities worldwide use observations of stellar scintillation, or twinkling, to predict weather and seasonal changes, combining traditional knowledge with scientific understanding.

Contribution

This study documents and analyzes indigenous use of stellar scintillation for weather prediction, integrating ethnographic data with scientific explanations.

Findings

Meriam people interpret star twinkling to gauge trade winds and weather changes.

Northern Dene use stellar scintillation to forecast weather in Arctic regions.

Indigenous knowledge aligns with scientific principles of atmospheric conditions affecting star brightness.

Abstract

Indigenous peoples across the world observe the motions and positions of stars to develop seasonal calendars. Additionally, changing properties of stars, such as their brightness and colour, are also used for predicting weather. Combining archival studies with ethnographic fieldwork in Australia's Torres Strait, we explore the various ways Indigenous peoples utilise stellar scintillation (twinkling) as an indicator for predicting weather and seasonal change, discussing the scientific underpinnings of this knowledge. By observing subtle changes in the ways the stars twinkle, Meriam people gauge changing trade winds, approaching wet weather, and temperature changes. We then explore how the Northern Dene of Arctic North America utilise stellar scintillation to forecast weather.