Astronomy 3:1

Adorah had enjoyed the break, spending a bit of time with Noel and some of her sisters. She was sure the students enjoyed it as well. Some of them already seemed to be sporting new robes they'd received over the holidays. As the third years entered, Adorah leaned against her desk, checking off who she remembered and figuring out the rest before the bell rang. She quickly placed her attendance list down and looked out around the classroom.

"Welcome back to Astronomy! It's been a while since I've seen some of you, but we are going to jump right back into learning. Please exit nicely and head out to the lawn," she said, waiting for the last student to exit before locking the door with the tools she needed in her arms. It was about 11:00 p.m. at the beginning of January; she hoped they would all position their charts correctly.

"Star charts! You'll need these to complete our studies today," Adorah said as they arrived on the lawn. She handed the charts to a nearby student who then passed them out to the others in the class. "Now, the idea of following the stars and their patterns is very old. They once were used to predict different times of the year so people knew when to plant crops and harvest them. They are also very useful if you are traveling," Adorah said. Pulling out her own star chart, she held it above her head towards the sky. "Now, don't feel silly, but this is how you'll align yourself with the stars. Face south and then hold the map up, so that the north horizon is towards your back. Should you want to face another way, say east," Adorah said turning herself in that direction, but not turning the map. "You'll want to make sure you turn yourself and not the map, so it always stays the same, not turning with you," she said, demonstrating as she turned the piece of paper above her head back in her hands so it was above her head the way it had been when she was facing south.

"Now, try to practice finding constellations to relate to your position, and then turn in another direction and do the same. You'll notice the sky has many more stars than are on your charts - so, take care when trying to find the stars you are looking for in the sky. I'm here to help anyone who needs it," she said, hoping the students would get the hang of the star charts fairly easily. Most of the students seemed to do well, and she was pleased with them. Once the time for the lesson was ended, she sent them back to their dorms without homework so they would focus on the charts during the week in preparation for the rest of the semester.

--
For full credit, RP the lesson.
First student to pass out the star charts will receive 2 extra credit points.
Link to Star Chart for Reference​

 

[Alana Cosgrove]

Professor Zumwalt didn’t keep them in the classroom long and no sooner had she sat down, Alana found herself out on the lawn, pulling her cloak closer to her as the temperature had dropped dramatically since night had fallen. She took a star chart from Professor Zumwalt and started to align herself south and held up the chart to start marking it up as instructed. Alana felt a little silly holding up the chart but it was what she needed to do and there was a certain satisfaction to it if she thought of it as solving a puzzle.

Alana spent the lesson experimenting with her chart trying to make sure everything was aligned up properly, it wasn’t a subject she particularly enjoyed but she did like being outside even in the cold evening air, it was different to being stuck in a classroom. She got as much down on her chart as possible and made some extra notes, Alana was relieved that at the end of the lesson there was no homework so she was able to just pack everything up and made her way back up to the castle.

 

[Magne Kleos]

Magne walked into the astronomy classroom and took his usual spot in the room. He glanced at the professor as the man got started, but he wasn’t sat for long when the professor brought them outside. He followed along with everyone else and then listened to what the professor said about star charts. Magne knew how to read the stars for direction. He took the sheet when the professor let them and then began with ease of someone who had done it before, used the start chart to be able to find the stars he needed. It was nice, reminded him of his family and his home. He was pretty disappointed when the lesson come to an end and he just packed up his things and left the room.

 

[Tanith Whitlock]

Tanith wasn't exactly ready for the lessons to start again, but she was also tired of waiting. Maybe she was just not going to be happy no matter what happened. She sighed and forced herself out of bed, trying to look at least presentable before she went to class.

She took her seat with a sigh. At least Astronomy wasn't the worst class ever. She bit her lip, watching the professor talk as she played with her quill. She was happy as well when the lesson moved outside- she liked being able to get some fresh air, and she loved to watch the stars. She lingered a little longer, not really doing well with the star charts. She definitely had to approach @Professor Adorah Zumwalt to get some help with it, and she still wasn't feeling completely confident by the time they were dismissed. Sighing, she headed back to the castle, hoping her next lesson went better.