Setting the question before the gathered students, Celeste revealed a tabletop model that had been set upon her desk with a wave of her wand. The better to show the constellations being mentioned to the rest of the class that wasn’t mentioning them to share what was being spoken about. It was charmed with all eighty eight constellations to avoid missing any of them in the process. Thankfully she had thought ahead to set things up over the summer with her lesson plans mostly in place before term began. As Ms. Bixby started them off, the astronomy professor nodded and had the first three appear in time. “Aye…they are definitely included,” she confirmed, mildly grateful the girl left the other nine of the zodiac for others to supply if they so choose.
The model changed to the shape of long serpent as Celeste magicked the next one to appear appropriately given by one of the Slytherins. My it seemed like the lesson was following a sort of theme.
“Aye…the mighty sea serpent and its brightest star, Alphard.” Also known as the lesser known Dumbledore brother she absently mused to herself before switching her attention to Ms. Montmorency once more who added another zodiac member.
“Aye…the noble centaur archer,” she remarked with a nod. As for the extra little tidbit of information supplied by the girl.
“Indeed…tis so large it can be seen by without a telescope despite being so far away from us.” Not an easy feat, but then it was a blue hypergiant.
It seemed her comment about ancient astronomers had bemused at least Ms. Marchand.
“Aye, tis another good duo,” she agreed. And Celeste could see where the mention could have some from, reconizeing one of the young women who were fans of the Disney stories.
“Hercules is actually th’ fifth largest constellation. And as ye can see, we have the headless man and the winged horse without back legs. ” Perfect example of the astronomers getting weird. And then there were Mr. O’Brien’s answer to the question.
“Aye tae Ursa Major and Minor,” she agreed to the two larger groupings of stars.
“However, while th’ Big and Little Dippers are often mistaken as constellations, they are actually examples of asterisks.” Alas a common enough mix up she had mentioned earlier.
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“Now tae have bit of fun,” Celeste began, moving on to the activity portion of the lesson. Maybe not as active as some, but a chance for imagination and creativity. Taking a pile of parchment sheets she had laid on her desk earlier, she strolled around the room handing them out to each student.
“For the rest of class time I wuid like ye to come up wit ye own constellation.” The predrawn grids on the sheets there to help them create a drawing or map on their idea.
“Pick a story from either muggle or magical history, myth or literature and pick an item or character from it to work with. Ye can even make up an entirely new story around yer constellation idea if ye so chose.” Each parchment handed out, she made her way back to the front of the classroom.
“I look forward to what ye all come up wit.” ooc: Here we have our activity part of the lesson. Get as creative as you so choose. Actual graphics are not necessary though feel free to include if the muse moves you. You have until Thursday and Celeste and I will be around for assistance and interactions. Have fun.