NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 12 Question Answer Beyond Earth

Let’s Enhance Our Learning: Question and Answer Activity from Chapter “Beyond Earth”

1. Match the column:

2. Solve the riddle:

Riddle:
My first alphabet is in MAN but not in CAN.
My second alphabet is in ACE and also in FAN.
My third alphabet is in RAT and not in CAT.
My fourth alphabet is in SUN but not in FUN.

Answer: MARS

Create two riddles yourself:

• Riddle 1:
  My first is in WATER but not in HAT.
  My second is in EARTH and also in TEAR.
  My third is in SUN and not in FUN.
  Answer: SATURN
• Riddle 2:
  My first is in VENUS but not in SUN.
  My second is in MOON and also in NOON.
  My third is in EARTH and not in TEAR.
  Answer: MERCURY

3. Which of the following is not a member of our Solar System?
Answer: (i) Sirius

4. Which of the following is not a planet of the Sun?
Answer: (ii) Pluto

5. Which is the brighter star, the Pole Star or Sirius?
Answer: Sirius is the brighter star.

6. Rearrange the order of planets in Fig. 12.12 if incorrect:
Correct order of planets (from the Sun): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

7. Identify and label the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Pole Star in Fig. 12.13:

• Draw connecting lines for stars forming the Big Dipper and Little Dipper.
• Label the star at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle as the Pole Star.

8. Identify Orion and Sirius in Fig. 12.14:

• Draw three stars in a straight line to form Orion’s belt.
• Extend a line eastward from the belt to find Sirius.

9. Why do stars fade at dawn and reappear at dusk?
Stars fade at dawn because sunlight overpowers their dim light, making them invisible. As the Sun sets, darkness returns, making stars visible again.

10. Does the Big Dipper appear to move in the night sky?
Yes, the Big Dipper appears to move due to Earth’s rotation. It seems to rotate around the Pole Star. Draw sketches with different positions at 2-3 hour intervals.

11. Write a short poem about the night sky:

The stars above so brightly gleam,
A tapestry of a cosmic dream.
Patterns emerge, constellations align,
In the dark, a beauty divine.
The Milky Way, a glowing band,
Guides us through this wondrous land.
Oh, night sky, vast and deep,
A treasure trove for us to keep.

Learning Further Tasks:

1. Find planet names in your local language and associated stories about stars or constellations.
2. Visit a planetarium or science museum to observe celestial objects through a telescope.
3. Research how light pollution affects humans, wildlife, and the environment, and suggest ways to reduce it.

Creative Art Activity: Depict constellations on dark cloth using embroidery or other craft ideas.

Key Takeaway: Keep observing, exploring, and nurturing curiosity about the universe. It’s a journey of endless discoveries

Questions and Answers from Chapter “Beyond Earth”

Understanding Stars, Constellations, and the Night Sky

1. What are stars?
Stars are celestial objects that emit their own light and are composed of hot gases like hydrogen and helium.

2. What is a constellation?
A constellation is a group of stars that form recognizable patterns in the sky, often resembling animals, objects, or characters.

3. Why were constellations important in ancient times?
Constellations helped sailors and travelers navigate by identifying directions at sea or on land.

4. How many constellations are officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)?
There are 88 officially recognized constellations.

5. What is the Big Dipper?
The Big Dipper is a prominent pattern of seven stars that is part of the Ursa Major constellation.

6. What is the Pole Star, and how can it be located?
The Pole Star (Polaris) is a star that appears stationary and is used to locate the North direction. It can be found by drawing a line through the two end stars of the Big Dipper’s cup.

The Solar System and Planets

7. What is the Sun?
The Sun is a star at the center of the Solar System. It provides heat, light, and energy, making life possible on Earth.

8. What are planets?
Planets are large spherical objects that revolve around the Sun in nearly circular orbits.

9. Name the eight planets of the Solar System in order of their distance from the Sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

10. Why is Venus called the Morning Star or Evening Star?
Venus appears bright in the sky near sunrise or sunset, earning it these names, although it is not a star.

11. Why is Mars called the Red Planet?
Mars is called the Red Planet because its surface contains iron oxide (rust), giving it a reddish appearance.

12. Why is Earth known as the Blue Planet?
Earth is called the Blue Planet because a large part of its surface is covered with water, making it appear blue from space.

13. What are the outer planets of the Solar System?
The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are giant gaseous planets with rings.

14. What is Pluto? Why is it no longer considered a planet?
Pluto is a dwarf planet. It was reclassified in 2006 by the IAU because it did not meet the criteria for being a planet.

Moons and Satellites

15. What is a natural satellite?
A natural satellite is an object that revolves around a planet, such as the Moon around the Earth.

16. How long does it take the Moon to revolve around the Earth?
The Moon takes about 27 days to complete one revolution around the Earth.

17. What are craters on the Moon?
Craters are bowl-shaped depressions on the Moon’s surface caused by impacts from asteroids or meteoroids.

18. What are artificial satellites?
Artificial satellites are human-made objects launched into orbit around the Earth or other celestial bodies for purposes like communication and research.

Asteroids, Comets, and Other Celestial Objects

19. What are asteroids?
Asteroids are small, rocky objects that revolve around the Sun, mainly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

20. What are comets?
Comets are icy-rocky celestial objects with long tails made of gas and dust, which become visible when they approach the Sun.

21. What is Halley’s Comet, and how often does it appear?
Halley’s Comet is a famous comet that appears approximately every 76 years. Its last appearance was in 1986.

22. What is the asteroid belt?
The asteroid belt is a region between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids are located.

Galaxies and the Universe

23. What is the Milky Way Galaxy?
The Milky Way Galaxy is the galaxy that contains our Solar System. It appears as a faint band of light across the night sky.

24. What are galaxies?
Galaxies are massive systems of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity.

25. Are there other galaxies beyond the Milky Way?
Yes, there are countless galaxies beyond the Milky Way, each containing billions of stars.

Observing the Night Sky

26. What is light pollution?
Light pollution is excessive artificial light that hinders the visibility of stars and celestial objects in the night sky.

27. Why is the night sky clearer in villages than in cities?
Villages have less light pollution and air pollution, making the night sky more visible.

28. How can we reduce light pollution?
We can reduce light pollution by using shielded lights, minimizing outdoor lighting, and promoting dark sky reserves.

29. How can we identify constellations and planets in the night sky?
We can use sky mapping apps, star charts, or telescopes to identify constellations and planets.

30. What is the role of a telescope in night sky observation?
Telescopes help magnify celestial objects, making dim stars, planets, and other objects visible.

Conclusion

These questions cover essential concepts related to stars, constellations, planets, the Solar System, and other celestial phenomena. They encourage curiosity about space and provide a foundation for further exploration of the universe.