Magabala is excited to announce the acquisition of Big Sky: When the Emu Left the Earth, a groundbreaking and powerful new non-fiction title by award-winning First Nations author Bruce Pascoe and renowned astrophysicist Professor Ray Norris.

About the book, Bruce said: 

“This book is a dream of mine and Ray’s, to share the ancient night sky knowledge that Aboriginal people have known for centuries. All humans crave an understanding of our circumstances and destiny, and we often look up at night and find ourselves enmeshed by the tracery of cosmic connections. This book answers that need.”

Ray Norris says the book is a combination of his and Bruce Pascoe’s knowledge and research.

"Thousands of years ago, Aboriginal Australians had a superb and detailed knowledge of the sky, and understood the movements of the stars and planets to a degree that would put Galileo to shame. This book is a synthesis of Bruce Pascoe’s cultural knowledge and my research studies, with my Aboriginal friends, resulting in a deep exploration of the many achievements of the ancient Aboriginal astronomers.”

Magabala Publisher Rachel Bin Salleh said:

“As far back as we can remember, we have told stories to make sense of who we are. Big Sky, by Bruce and Ray, is a conversation between two brilliant minds that touch upon the universal truths that made us. Who we are is a direct reflection of the night sky, a map; stars as memory keepers; the infinite cosmos our skin; light as consciousness and the dense inkiness, the truths we are yet to see. Magabala is privileged to share some of these thoughts, facts and reflections with you in Big Sky, where there is space enough for all.”

Big Sky can be compared to Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe and The First Astronomers by Duane Hamacher

Magabala has acquired world rights and will publish the book in 2026.