Astronomy in Aboriginal culture

To some indigenous Australians, the Southern Cross is a stingray being chased by a shark. To others it is an eagle's footprint. Ragbir Bhathal describes how the Aboriginal peoples' views of the skies not only differ from, but probably pre-date, those of other civilizations. In all probability, long before other civilizations had named the celestial objects in the night sky, the indigenous people of Australia had not only given them names but had also built an astronomical knowledge system which they incorporated into their social, cultural and religious life. Their socio-cultural astronomical knowledge system both assists and clashes with Australia's legal system, which is based on English law.