Std 6 General Science · Chapter 8

8. Beyond the Sky

Complete solutions to the Exercises, covering sky and space, comets, meteors, galaxies and Indian space missions. Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six General Science.

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About the chapter

On a clear night we see the Moon, stars and many other objects in the sky. This chapter tells us about these celestial objects. We learn about comets, meteors and galaxies. We also learn about India’s space missions.

Key points

  • Stars have their own light. The Sun is the star closest to the Earth.
  • The pole star is seen in the north direction.
  • A comet is made of rocks, dust and frozen material.
  • Some meteors fall on the Earth without burning completely.
  • Our galaxy is the Akashganga. Andromeda (Devyani) is a galaxy close to it.
  • Aditya L1 studies the Sun. NISAR studies the Earth.

Words to remember

  • celestial object – an object seen in the sky
  • constellation – a group of stars that forms a pattern
  • comet – an object of rocks, dust and frozen material that moves around the Sun
  • meteor – a piece of rock that burns when it enters the Earth’s air
  • galaxy – a huge group of stars

Exercises

1Identify and write the name.

(a) The galaxy closer to Akashganga – Andromeda (Devyani)

(b) The father of Indian Astronomy – Aryabhatta

(c) The star closest to the Earth – The Sun

(d) A celestial object made of rocks, dust and frozen material – Comet

2Write true or false. Correct the false statement.

(1) The stars do not have their own light.

False. Stars have their own light.

(2) The pole star is situated in the south direction.

False. The pole star is situated in the north direction.

(3) Sometimes meteors fall on the surface of the earth without burning completely.

True.

3Complete the co-relation.

(a) Chandrayaan - 1 : 2008 :: Mangalyaan mission : 2014

(b) Aditya L1 : Study of the Sun :: NISAR : Study of the Earth

4Which of the following activities are necessary for sky observation?
  • (1) Selecting a place without light and pollution.
  • (2) Use of Binoculars, telescopes for sky observation.
  • (3) Begin sky observation from western stars.
  • (4) All of the above.  — correct
5What blind beliefs do people have about various celestial objects and events in the sky? Make a list.
  1. Seeing a comet brings disaster.
  2. A shooting star makes a wish come true.
  3. One should not go out during an eclipse.
  4. Food becomes impure during an eclipse.
  5. Stars and planets decide a person’s future.

These are blind beliefs. Eclipses, comets and meteors are natural events.