[HPforGrownups] re: Impossible timetable/

[Diana Williams]

No: HPFGUIDX 38460

From: "nuriaobradors" <nobradors at hotmail.com>
> And Steph added to the Astronomy debate suggesting:
> >>>>Also, regarding Prof Sinistra's work load, well - maybe you can
> specialise at NEWT level, you know, choose subjects? Maybe only 1st,
> 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year have compulsory Astronomy, which would
> mean Prof Sinistra has only one hour of her night per day taken up
> with them.<<<<
>
> Steph:
> >>>>The ones who chose Astronomy at NEWT level have theory lessons
> and might be able to pop up and join the lower years and make
> their own observations, or perhaps book the astronomy tower. Or
> perhaps, only 1st years get to do the mid-night star-gazing, and the
> rest have to have theory lessons?<<<<
>
> I doubt of an all-theory Astronomy year, for star-gazing is what
> makes it fun. (my boyfriend used to work in an observatory). However,
> theory lessons are of course a must, and a good way to take advantage
> of a cloudy night. Unless of course that wizarding telescopes can
> scan the sky despite clouds, mist, or a big full moon!


I don't know if this helps, but I took Astronomy for my required science
course in college, and we actually did very little star-gazing (although I
agree that it was a lot more fun doing that).  In fact, the entire first
semester was history and definitions, and the second semester was all theory
and calculations.  Hogwarts might not concentrate as much as the "muggle
world" would on people like Copernicus and Galileo, on the discovery of
planets and black holes, etc., but I imagine they would still have to cover
the Wizarding world's history of Astronomy.  And being able to calculate
things like phases of the moon, etc., would be very important for magical
reasons.  So maybe the early years of Astronomy are at night to get them
acquainted with the night sky and the various constellations, stars, and
planets, and then the older years are more theory and history oriented so
those classes could be held during the day time.

Diana W.