Emu

• For thousands of years the emu shape in the night sky has been important to Aboriginal people.
  
• Male emus play an important role in producing young emus. They sit on the eggs. In a similar way elders help produce young men from boys during manhood rites.
  
• It has been suggested that the rings of the initiation grounds and connecting corridors represent the emu.
  

Stories about stars the sun and the moon have a rich heritage in Australia. All the stars were known to the Aboriginals. They had stories and beliefs linked to the stars and also could recognise phases of the moon, and identify new arrivals such as comets.

One of the largest shapes in the sky is the emu. This shadow has influenced emu rock art, ceremonial sites and acted as an indicator as to when ceremonies should be held. This object in the night sky is blackness between stars and galaxies.

The emu is a shadow caused by dust and gas clouds in space. It is possible to see the head at all times it being a dark shadow by the Southern Cross. May to September are the best times to sight the body. It lies across the constellation Scorpio.