  Transient celestial phenomena feature prominently in the astronomical
knowledge and traditions of Aboriginal Australians. In this paper, I collect
accounts of the Aurora Australis from the literature regarding Aboriginal
culture. Using previous studies of meteors, eclipses, and comets in Aboriginal
traditions, I anticipate that the physical properties of aurora, such as their
generally red colour as seen from southern Australia, will be associated with
fire, death, blood, and evil spirits. The survey reveals this to be the case
and also explores historical auroral events in Aboriginal cultures, aurorae in
rock art, and briefly compares Aboriginal auroral traditions with other global
indigenous groups, including the Maori of New Zealand.

History and Philosophy of Physics;Popular Physics