Welcome to Bodhiclasses, where learning is more than memorizing—it’s about wondering, observing, and discovering. In this beautiful journey Beyond Earth, we explore the sparkling mysteries of the night sky, the brilliance of our Solar System, and the infinite universe beyond. Whether you’re curious about stars, constellations, planets, or India’s Chandrayaan missions, this chapter brings the cosmos right into your classroom.
1. Match the column:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| (i) Satellite of Earth | (d) Moon |
| (ii) Red planet | (c) Mars |
| (iii) Constellation | (a) Orion |
| (iv) Planet which is commonly called an evening star | (b) Venus |
📝 Answer:
(i) → (d) Moon
(ii) → (c) Mars
(iii) → (a) Orion
(iv) → (b) Venus
2.
(i) Solve the following 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
I am a planet that moves around the Sun.
📝 Answer:
Let’s solve each line:
- First alphabet: In MAN but not in CAN → M
- Second alphabet: In ACE and FAN → A
- Third alphabet: In RAT and not in CAT → R
- Fourth alphabet: In SUN but not in FUN → S
So, the answer is MARS, the Red Planet.
(ii) Make two similar riddles by yourself:
📝 Riddle 1:
My first letter is in STAR but not in START
My second letter is in SKY and also in STAY
My third letter is in EARTH but not in HEART
I am a natural satellite of Earth.
Answer: MOON
📝 Riddle 2:
My first letter is in PLANET but not in PLANE
My second letter is in EARTH and also in HEAT
My third letter is in GALAXY but not in LAX
My fourth letter is in SUN but not in GUN
I am the closest planet to the Sun.
Answer: MERCURY
3. Which of the following is not a member of our Solar System?
(i) Sirius
(ii) Comets
(iii) Asteroids
(iv) Pluto
📝 Answer: (i) Sirius
Sirius is a star, not a member of our Solar System. It is located in the Canis Major constellation.
4. Which of the following is not a planet of the Sun?
(i) Jupiter
(ii) Pluto
(iii) Neptune
(iv) Saturn
📝 Answer: (ii) Pluto
Pluto was once considered the ninth planet but is now classified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
5. Which is the brighter star, the Pole Star or Sirius?
📝 Answer: Sirius is the brighter star. It is the brightest star in the night sky, while the Pole Star (Polaris) is not as bright but remains nearly fixed in the sky and helps in navigation.
6. An artist’s representation of the Solar System is given in Fig. 12.12. Is the order of the planets correct? If not, write the correct order in the boxes in the figure.
📝 Answer:
Correct Order of Planets from the Sun:
Mercury → Venus → Earth → Mars → Jupiter → Saturn → Uranus → Neptune
7. A portion of night sky with stars is shown in Fig. 12.13. Look carefully and identify the groups of stars that form the patterns—the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper. Draw lines to connect the stars for these patterns and label them. Also, identify and label the Pole Star. You may refer to Fig. 12.4 for help.
📝 Answer:
- The Big Dipper forms part of the Ursa Major constellation and looks like a large spoon or ladle.
- The Little Dipper, part of Ursa Minor, contains the Pole Star (Polaris) at the end of its handle.
- Draw connecting lines between the stars to form the two ladle shapes and mark Polaris.
8. A portion of the night sky is shown in Fig. 12.14. Draw lines to connect the stars for Orion and label the star Sirius. You may refer to Fig. 12.3.
📝 Answer:
- Orion resembles a hunter with three aligned stars representing Orion’s belt in the center.
- From Orion’s belt, draw an imaginary straight line toward the east to identify and label the bright star Sirius in the Canis Major constellation.
9. You can see stars fading away at dawn and appearing at dusk. During the day we do not see the stars. Explain why.
📝 Answer:
During the day, the Sun’s bright light scatters through the Earth’s atmosphere, making it impossible for our eyes to detect the relatively dim light from distant stars. At dusk and dawn, as sunlight reduces, stars become visible again.
10. During a clear night, try to observe the Big Dipper 3–4 times at an interval of 2 to 3 hours. Also try to locate the Pole Star each time. Does the Big Dipper appear to move? Draw a rough sketch to illustrate this, mentioning the time in each case.
📝 Answer:
Yes, the Big Dipper appears to move around the Pole Star in a circular motion due to the Earth’s rotation. The Pole Star remains fixed in position.
(Students should draw sketches showing the Big Dipper’s changing position at different times of the night.)
11. Think about the night sky and write a poem or a story on it.
📝 Sample Answer (Poem):
🌠 “The Night Sky’s Whisper”
Twinkling dots in velvet skies,
Wink at me with glowing eyes.
Orion hunts with stars so bright,
Guiding dreams through silent night.
Sirius sparkles, bold and clear,
The Milky Way seems ever near.
The Pole Star shows me where to be,
In the sky’s vast, starlit sea.
