Dianne Johnson (1947 - 2012) was a social anthropologist who worked closely with the Darug and Gundungurra peoples.

• List of figuresNote to the 2014 editionPreface 1. Prologue2. Aboriginal cosmology3. Natural cycles and the stars4. Mythology5. Social relations and kin ties6. Healing7. Astronomical observations8. The fall of the sky-dome EpilogueAppendicesBibliography

'the book is the elegant end product of diligent and committed research. Johnson says that she was inspired to undertake that research through reflection upon the apparent arbitrary nature of European constellations and, later, by her desire to rescue `some of the rich and fabulous stories and ideas which constitute Aboriginal astronomy'