NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 12: Beyond Earth

LET US ENHANCE OUR LEARNING 

1. Match the column:

Ans: 

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. 

Ans: 

• My first alphabet is in MAN but not in CAN: M

• My second alphabet is in ACE and also in FAN: A

• My third alphabet is in RAT and not in CAT: R

• My fourth alphabet is in SUN but not in FUN: S

MARS (the Red Planet that moves around the Sun)

(ii) Make two similar riddles by yourself.

Ans:
Riddle 1:

• My first alphabet is in CAT but not in HAT

• My second alphabet is in PEN and also in TEN

• My third alphabet is in DOG but not in FOG

• I am a celestial body that twinkles in the night sky.

Ans: STAR

Riddle 2:

• My first alphabet is in BALL but not in TALL

• My second alphabet is in BEE and also in SEA

• My third alphabet is in LION but not in IRON

• I am the third planet from the Sun, where you live.

Ans: EARTH

3. Which of the following is not a member of our Solar System? 

(i) Sirius 

(ii) Comets 

(iii) Asteroids 

(iv) Pluto 

Ans: (i) Sirius (Sirius is a star outside our Solar System, located in the constellation Canis Major.)

4. Which of the following is not a planet of the Sun? 

(i) Jupiter

(ii) Pluto  

(iii) Neptune 

(iv) Saturn 

Ans: (ii) Pluto (Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet, not a full-fledged planet.)

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

Ans: Sirius is the brighter star. It is the brightest star in the night sky, while the Pole Star (Polaris) is not as bright as Sirius.

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.

Ans: The order from the Sun is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

7. A portion of the 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

Ans:

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. 

Ans:

9. You can see stars fading away at dawn and appearing at dusk. During the day we do not see the stars. Explain why. 

Ans: Stars fade away at dawn and become visible again at dusk due to the Earth's rotation. During the day, the Sun's light scatters in Earth's atmosphere, making the sky bright and obscuring the light from other stars. As the Sun sets, the sky darkens, allowing the light from the stars to become visible again. Thus, stars are not seen during the day because the Sun's light overwhelms their faint light.

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.

Ans: 

Observation:

• Time 1: The Big Dipper is positioned at a certain spot in the sky.

• Time 2: After 2–3 hours, the Big Dipper will be in a different position in the sky.

• Time 3: After another 2–3 hours, the Big Dipper will have moved further.

Explanation: The Big Dipper appears to move across the sky due to the Earth's rotation. However, the Pole Star (Polaris) remains relatively fixed in the sky. This is because Polaris is located near the North Celestial Pole, so it does not shift significantly in our sky.

11. Think about the night sky and write a poem or a story on it.

Ans: 

A Starry Night

In the hush of evening’s grace,
The sky unveils its velvet face,
Stars emerge in twinkling dance,
Casting dreams in cosmic trance.

The moon drapes silver threads of light,
Across the canvas of the night,
Galaxies in distant song,
Whisper secrets, soft and long.

Constellations weave their tales,
In celestial, timeless trails,
The Big Dipper, steadfast, bright,
Guides the wanderers through the night.

Beneath the canvas, dreams take flight,
In the quiet of the starry night,
The universe in endless span,
A symphony for every man.

So gaze upon the heavens high,
And let your heart with wonder fly,
For in the night’s eternal dome,
The stars invite us to come home.

LEARNING FURTHER  

Try to find out the names of planets in your local language. Also, find out the stories associated with stars and constellations in your region. Present these stories in a pictorial form. 

Ans: The names of planets can vary depending on the local language. Here are a few examples in Hindi:

• Mercury: बुध (Budh)

• Venus: शुक्र (Shukra)

• Earth: पृथ्वी (Prithvi)

• Mars: मंगल (Mangal)

• Jupiter: बृहस्पति (Brihaspati)

• Saturn: शनिदेव (Shani)

• Uranus: अरुण (Arun)

• Neptune: वरुण (Varun)

If there is a planetarium or a science museum nearby, then you can visit it, especially if a night sky observation session is scheduled by them. You will get to see the Moon, the planets, and the stars through a telescope. If you visit the planetarium during the daytime, you can also see their models, pictures, and sky shows.

Ans: Do it Yourself

Find out if the increasing light pollution is causing problems for humans, wildlife and the environment. Write an action that you would take at the personal level to control light pollution.

Ans: Impact of Increasing Light Pollution

1. Problems for Humans:

• Health Issues: Light pollution can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disorders and other health problems such as increased stress and risk of chronic diseases.

• Mental Well-being: Excessive artificial light can contribute to mental fatigue, anxiety, and depression, affecting overall well-being.

2. Problems for Wildlife:

• Disruption of Behavior: Many animals, including birds and insects, rely on natural light patterns for navigation, mating, and feeding. Light pollution can disrupt these behaviours, leading to disorientation and reduced survival rates.

• Impact on Ecosystems: Artificial light can affect the natural balance of ecosystems. For example, light pollution can attract nocturnal insects to streetlights, increasing their risk of predation and altering food webs.

3. Problems for the Environment:

• Energy Waste: Excessive and poorly directed artificial lighting leads to energy wastage, contributing to higher carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

• Impact on Astronomy: Light pollution affects astronomical observations, making it difficult for scientists to study celestial objects and phenomena.

Personal Action to Control Light Pollution

Action: Adopt Responsible Outdoor Lighting Practices

• Use Shielded Fixtures: Install outdoor lighting fixtures that are shielded to direct light downward, reducing skyglow and minimising light spills.

• Opt for Motion Sensors: Use motion-sensor lights instead of leaving outdoor lights on all night. This ensures that lights are only on when needed.

• Choose LED Lights: Select LED lights with warm colour temperatures, as they are less disruptive to wildlife compared to cooler, bluish lights.

• Turn Off Lights: Make a habit of turning off outdoor lights when not in use, especially during nighttime hours.

• Advocate for Light Pollution Awareness: Educate others about the impacts of light pollution and advocate for local measures to reduce unnecessary lighting in your community.

By adopting these practices, you can contribute to reducing light pollution and mitigating its negative effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment.

Find out the weather conditions due to which the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) found Hanle, Ladakh a suitable place to set up an observatory.

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) found Hanle, Ladakh, to be a suitable place for setting up an observatory due to several favourable weather conditions:

• Clear Skies: Hanle has exceptionally clear skies with minimal atmospheric moisture. This reduces the amount of water vapour and other atmospheric particles that can obstruct the view of celestial objects.

• Low Light Pollution: Hanle's remote location, far from urban areas, ensures minimal light pollution. This allows for better observation of faint celestial objects without interference from artificial lights.

• High Altitude: Situated at an altitude of approximately 4,500 meters (14,800 feet), Hanle offers a high vantage point. The thin atmosphere at such altitudes reduces atmospheric distortion, providing clearer and sharper images of astronomical objects.

• Stable Atmospheric Conditions: The region experiences stable atmospheric conditions with less turbulence, which is crucial for high-quality astronomical observations. Stable conditions minimize the distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence.

• Dry Climate: Hanle's dry climate contributes to low humidity levels, further enhancing the clarity of the sky and reducing atmospheric interference.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 12 Beyond Earth

• NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 12 Beyond Earth provides step-by-step explanations to help students understand key concepts related to space, the solar system, and celestial bodies, ensuring clarity in complex topics.

• By following the NCERT Solutions, students can learn in a structured manner, covering all the essential points and topics of the chapter systematically.

• The solutions include various types of questions such as multiple-choice, short-answer, and long-answer questions, helping students practice and reinforce their understanding.

• They serve as a useful revision tool, allowing students to quickly review and consolidate their knowledge before exams.

• Working through the NCERT solutions for Chapter 12 helps improve problem-solving skills by guiding how to approach and solve different types of questions.

• They offer support for self-study at home, enabling students to learn and clarify doubts independently, without needing immediate teacher assistance.

Important Study Material Links for Science Chapter 12 Class 6 

Conclusion

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 12, "Beyond Earth," is an excellent resource for young learners. They help students grasp essential concepts about space, planets, and stars through clear explanations and practice questions. These solutions make it easier to understand and remember key ideas, improve problem-solving skills, and prepare for exams. By using these solutions, students can study effectively at home, revise important topics, and stay aligned with their curriculum. Overall, they provide a solid foundation for learning about the fascinating world beyond Earth.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science

Related Important Links for Class 6 Science 

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