01/07/2023
Happy International Asteroid Day.
Did you know five asteroids are named after Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? They include:
7546 Meriam, named after the Meriam people of the eastern Torres Strait.
7733 Segarpassi, named after Daureb man Segar Passi, a highly respected Senior Elder on Mer / Murray Island in the eastern Torres Strait.
7630 Yidumduma, named after Senior Wardaman Elder Bill Yidumduma, a globally renowned artist, storyteller and musician.
7809 Marcia Langton, named after Yiman and Bidjara woman Proferssor Marcia Langton AO. Langton is Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor, Associate Provost, and Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne.
7547 Martinnakata: named after Martin Nakata AM, he is the first Torres Strait Islander to earn a PhD in Australia. He is a Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Education & Strategy) at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. He is an Indigenous Torres Strait Islander whose traditional country is the island of Naghir (Nagi).
Read more about the asteroids here. https://theconversation.com/from-7809-marcialangton-to-7630-yidumduma-5-asteroids-named-after-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people-144596
IMAGE CREDIT: Milky Way star map by Bill Yidumduma Harney, Senior Wardaman Edler. Image: Bill Yidumduma Harney, CC BY