12-18-2011, 07:47 AM
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 Observatory
 The Milky Way Galaxy contains anywhere between 200 and 400 billion stars. A tiny fraction of those can be viewed right here, in the Hogwarts Observatory. This circular room was locked for a long time, but Professor Antares opened it again when he became a staff member at Hogwarts and now after his leave Professor Roslund maintains it - complete with a huge telescope that was a new addition then. As it is difficult to operate, students need permission from the professor before they are allowed to use it, but a number of smaller telescopes that anyone and everyone is free to use are stowed away in cupboards lining the rounded walls along with empty potion vials and other astronomy items and supplies.
Large star charts are pinned up on the walls as well. Not all of these belong to the school. Those that do not have a great number of notes and calculations added to them - although Professor Roslund is a teacher now, he is still able to supply colleagues and his mentor with data and measurements. You are, of course, free to study his charts, but make very sure not to remove or misplace anything.
Stargazing, naturally, is an activity best pursued at night, and as such, the Observatory usually remains unlocked. Of course, there are superseding school rules that limit the hour at which students can still be out of bed. If you desire to study the wonders of the cosmos later than that, you need a note from Professor Roslund. Should a student be found without such a note (or, alternatively a creative excuse), he or she can expect... trouble.
In the same way that a library is more than just a building where books are stored, the Observatory is as much a place of scientific inquiry as it is a shrine to the grandeur and beauty of the Universe. Professor Roslund, when he doesn't use the telescope for work, often comes here to think, or for some peace and quiet. Please respect him and any other teacher or student spending his or her time here in this way by not running around or shouting.
During last year (term 29) the Observatory was destroyed by a house elf. Professor Roslund has restored it to it's previous state so there should be no dangerous stuff around. If you do find something peculiar then go straight to Professor Roslund and tell him about it, to not endanger your peers. OCC: Image and original text are credited to Antarctica. |