I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

Good evening, everyone. I'm sorry to be later with our announcement of the YPL counsellor selections than I'd hoped, but we had some extremely difficult choices to make this year. All our applicants turned in thoughful and interesting applications, and in many cases it came down to final details in our interviews.

We also deeply appreciate an anonymous donation that allowed us to take on one extra counsellor and solve a challenging decision among the selection committee.

For those of you selected, please stop by during my office hours to discuss the possible schedule, and there will be a brief meeting of YPL counsellors from all years to discuss summer plans at 4:15pm on Wednesday, May 30th.

Many congratulations to our new additions to the YPL counselling staff.

Susan Bones
Katrina Bundy
Michael Corner
Ernie MacMillan
Draco Malfoy
Harry Marvolo
Pansy Parkinson
Padma Patil
Sally-Anne Perks
Dean Thomas
Ron Weasley

And of course, the best of wishes to our NEWT students as they begin their exams.

First: those students who made it out to see the Leonid meteor showers the last two mornings had a wonderful view. I know how hard it is to get out of a cozy bed to go stand in the cold, but this year's showers were some of the best I've seen this decade, and the clouds weren't too bad.

If you'd still like to earn extra credit for your viewing, tomorrow morning is your last opportunity: I'll have the telescopes set up ninety minutes before dawn. (And I will have some tea ready for when we come back in.)

Second, as a reminder for all students now the weather's getting colder: I do have a box of hats, gloves, and other warm gear available. If you need help with your warming charms, I'm also glad to assist, and I'm sure your house prefects would be as well.

Finally, I'm delighted to announce that we'll be cooperating in a major new research project.

The Ministry is coordinating measurements of particular star movements from various points around the Protectorate, in order to create even more accurate charts and materials that do not rely on non-Protectorate materials. We will be focusing on the four "Royal Stars", which as most of you know are Aldebaran, Antares, Fomalhaut, and Regulus. Our initial work will be with Aldebaran, currently present in the southern sky in the hours before midnight. Our measurements will be compared with those from other locations, to better triangulate movements in space, so it's especially important they be as precise as possible.

Students are not required to help (other than those working on their NEWTs: we'll discuss the schedule in class). However, if you are interested in doing so, please see me for times: I'll appreciate help setting up the telescopes and needed devices, as well as making the actual measurements, and it is an excellent opportunity to gain skill with the tools and methods of astronomy.

This does mean that I will be less available for visits in my office for those with questions. You can expect that I will be up on the Astronomy tower regularly each evening between sunset and the end of the evening's classes. I'll be available for student questions between lectures during the day, or by arrangement. (Or you are welcome to come up to the tower and talk to me: there is plenty of time between the scheduled measurements we need for most questions.)