Astronomy Lesson #3

[Kaiia Blackthorn]

Kaiia nodded. "It's not exactly a vortex, but you have the right idea. Two points to Slytherin. The spin created gravity, and the cloud began to condense into a dense central area - the protosun - and a more diffuse area - the protoplanetary disk. What else happened as the cloud continued to condense?" This shouldn't be too hard - it was right there in the textbook...

[isabellapeters]

Bella raised her hand not even looking down at her book. One good thing about having a photographic memory and a love for stars... you remember things easily. "Theree things hapened as the cloud condensed, the cloud flattened out, the whole protoplanetary disk began spinning faster, and the centre of the disk started heating up."

[Kaiia Blackthorn]

"Two points to Ravenclaw. As the protoplanetary disk spun faster, unstable areas within it began to condense into rings, and within the rings, small particles clumped together, forming rocky or icy objects, which we call planetesimals. These planetesimals collided with each other, and combined to form larger and larger objects, finally becoming planets. Who can explain how the two primary types of planets - rocky, and gas giants - were formed at this point? Kaiia was pleased with the response from the students. This lesson was going well.

[Caeleb Dracus]

"Well whilst the sun was forming in the centre the heat was really, intense and only the rocks and metals could handle it. That's why the rocky planets are the closest to the sun.
The rocky ice planetesimals could only maintain themselves in the outer regions where it was cooler and gas kind of...gathered around them forming the gas giants." Caeleb explained, imagining it all in his head.

[Kaiia Blackthorn]

"Correct. Two points to Slytherin. Shortly after this, the protosun finally achieved nuclear fusion, and became a star. We'll be studying the entire process of stellar evolution in the next lesson." She glanced at the clock, and saw that the lesson was just about at an end. "Those of you who did not hand in the last homework assignment, don't forget to report to the owlery on Saturday morning. For your next homework assignment, you will write a summary of the formation of the solar system. The homework is due by the next lesson. Class dismissed."

As the students began to pack up their books, Kaiia walked out of the room, heading for her office. Apart from the missing homework, this lesson had gone well - the students were actually starting to contribute!

[Nathalie Desjardins]

Nathalie decided this was as good a chance as any. She stuffed her books and quills into her schoolbag, and went out into the corridor, then waited until the Slytherin prefect came out. Summoning all her courage, she said, "Caeleb - if you're not already taking anyone, would you like to go to the Easter Ball with me?" She stopped waiting to hear his reply. Even if he said no, at least she'd tried!

[Caeleb Dracus]

Caeleb looked up startled when someone said his name. People didn't generally talk to him except Max and maybe Ceallach or Krysta and that was rarely in such a pleasant manner as this.
The face he fond himslef lookig at was pretty in a sort of refined and gentle way. He recognised her, though not to talk to. He wasn't even sure what her name was. Naomi? Natasha? He couldn't remember.
When she asked him to go to the Ball with her his eyebrows both raised an inch higher on his forehead. The Ball? He hadn't even thought about going. If he couldn't go with Dara, why go at all? And his days of going 'stag' were long over.
For a moment he didn't answer. He didn't have an answer. What should he say? under other circumstances he would have said yes. She was very pretty and obviously had the confidence to ask him out. She was a Ravenclaw so was obviously pretty bright...but what about Dara? How would she feel if he turned up at the Ball with someone on his arm?

"I er...sorry I forgot your name?" he stammered with a roguish grin. He was quite flattered if he was honest with himself.

[Nathalie Desjardins]

Nathalie felt herself blush as Caeleb looked her over. He seemed a bit baffled, and when he said he'd forgotten her name, she felt a bit silly. But she replied, "I'm Nathalie. Desjardins. Umm, look, it's okay if you don't want to, I, um, I just thought I'd ask." She wasn't sure about his grin, whether he was flattered, or laughing at her. But she stood her ground. At least she hadn't chickened out!

[Caeleb Dracus]

Caeleb couldn't help smiling.
"Sorry. Hi Nathalie." he grinned softly. "I er...well actually I'm not sure if I can go. I may have some prior engagments as it were." he explained kindly. "I'm not saying no." he added quickly. "I just need to check some things first. Is it ok if I get back to you?" he asked. He'd have to ask Dara how she felt about it. If he went to the Ball with someone else it may actually help keep their secret. If people though he was seeing Nathalie, they'd forget any rumous they'd been hearing about him and Dara. And she was very attractive. It may even be fun.

[Nathalie Desjardins]

Nathalie nodded when he said he had to check on something. Maybe he was waiting for an answer from someone else. Well, that was fine, it wasn't like she had a real thing for Caeleb. She thought he was cute, and thought it would be fun to go to the Ball with him, but she wouldn't be devastated if he turned her down. "Sure. Get back to me when you know." She smiled at him, and hitched her schoolbag onto her shoulder, before heading off for her next lesson.