ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS :

Q1. Define the following terms:

a) Celestial Bodies=All the objects that we see in the sky are called celestial bodies or
heavenly bodies. They include stars, planets, satellites, asteroids, meteoroids and
comets.

b) Milky way=The galaxy to which our solar system belongs is called Akash Ganga or Milky
Way.

c) Constellations=If you look at the night sky closely you can see clusters of stars. These groups are
called constellations. For example Ursa Major or Great Bear.

d) Planets=The word planet is derived from a Greek word meaning wanderer. Planets are so named
because they revolve around the sun.

e) Orbit=The sun is at the centre of the solar system and is also its largest member. It has a huge
mass, which gives it a very powerful force of gravity. This force holds the earth and other planets in
their fixed paths called orbits.

f) Satellite=Satellite are small heavenly bodies which revolve around the planets.
As the planets revolve around the sun , their satellites also accompany them in their revolution.
Like planets, satellites also do not have any heat or light of their own. They shine by reflecting the
light from the sun.

g) Comet=Comets are glowing heavenly bodies revolving around the sun in elongated orbits. They
are mostly made up of dust, ice particles and gases. Most comets have a head, a nucleus and a tail.
When they approach the sun, the gases get heated up and start glowing.

h) Asteroids=It has been discovered that there are several small celestial bodies similar to planets
which revolve around the sun in their own elliptical orbits. These celestial bodies are called
planetoids or asteroids and their orbits lie between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

i) Meteoroids=Meteoroids are small pieces of rocks which revolve around the sun. Some of these
particles enter the earth's atmosphere with great velocity. Due to friction with the atmosphere,
they get heated up and start glowing.
Q2. How was the Universe formed ? Explain in detail.
A-Most astronomers believe that the formation of the Universe started about 15 billion years ago,
with the gigantic explosion of a cosmic egg- the Big Bang. Due to this explosion atoms and latter
molecules were formed. These molecules came together and formed giant clouds of gases and dust
particles called nebulae. Each nebula had its own gravity and a spinning motion. Within the nebula,
the atoms were attracted to one another and in the process collided with each other at a
tremendous speed. This gave out an enormous amount of heat which resulted in the birth of
glowing bodies such as the stars. Our sun, which is a star, was born about 4.6 billion years ago.
Millions of stars together make a galaxy. Several million galaxies make up a universe. This was how
the universe was formed.

Q3. Name the celestial bodies of the solar system.

1) Stars

2) Planets

3) Satellite

4) Asteroids

5) Meteoroids

6) Comets

Q4.Describe the characteristics of:

MERCURY VENUS EARTH MARS

Mercury is known as Venus is the brightest Earth is known as the Mars has a reddish
the inner planet. As it object in the sky after inner planet. As they appearance and is
are made up rocks, the sun and moon. It is are made up of rocks, referred to as the red
they are also called often called the they are also called planet. Mars is an
terrestrial planet morning star when it is terrestrial planets. The inner planet as it is
seen in the sky before earth is the fifth made up of rocks, they
sunrise and evening largest planet and the are also called
star when it is seen in third nearest to the Terrestrial planets.
the sky after sunset. sun.It is spherical in
shape slightly
flattened at the poles
 and bulging at the
equator. This shape is
described as
geoid.Earth is the only
planet in the solar
system where life is
known to exist. It is
neither too hot nor too
cold.

JUPITER SATURN URANUS NEPTUNE

Jupiter is an outer Saturn is the sixth Uranus is an outer

planet. We also call it a planet from the sun planet. We also call it
gas giant as it is made and it has rings around gas giant as it is made
up of gases, with very it. up of gases, with very
small Rocky cores. It small Rocky cores and
also has rings around it it is an ice planet. It
comes on the seventh
position in solar
system

Q5. Differentiate between:

a)
STARS PLANETS

1) They produce their own heat and light 1) They Shine by reflecting the light
received from the Sun

2) They are huge in size 2) They are comparatively smaller in size

b)
SUN MOON

1) The sun is about 150 million kilometer 1) It is situated at a distance of about

away from the Earth 384400 kilometer from the Earth

2) light from the sun takes about 8 2) Its light reaches us in about 1.25 seconds
minutes to reach us
ROTATION  REVOLUTION

1. Rotation of the Earth is its turning 1. Revolution is the movement of earth

on its axis around the sun

2. The earth takes 24 hours to complete a 2) The earth takes a full year for one
rotation with respect to sun complete revolution around the sun

Q6. What makes the Earth a unique planet of the Solar System? 3 points
A-Our Earth is a unique planet because it is the only planet in the solar system where life is known
to exist. This is because the earth has all the favourable conditions required for the existence of life.
They are moderate temperature,suitable atmosphere and presence of water.

Q7. a) Draw/ Paste a picture of the Solar System.( DO NOT DRAW ALL PLANETS ON THE SAME LINE )

b) Draw a picture of any one constellation you have observed in the sky.
Q8 what is meteorites?

A-8 Meteoroids that reach the Earth’s surface without disintegrating are known as meteorites.

Q 9 what is a geoids?
A-Earth its spherical in shape, slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. This shape
is described at geoid.

Q10 Describe all the favorable condition in the earth?

A-10 1) Moderate temperature= the earth is neither far from the sun nor to close to I. It is neither
to hot like venues nor to cold like Neptune. The moderate temperature conditions on earth are
favorable for plant and animal life.

2) Suitable atmosphere= the earth is surrounded by a blanket of air called the atmosphere. Our
atmosphere has gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and ozone all of which are
necessary for plants and animals.

3) Presence of water= the atmospheric conditions on the earth are such that there is the existence
of a water cycle. Due to this water in the liquid form is available continuously for all living beings. In
fact the earth looks blue in colour from outer space because about two-thirds of its surface is
covered with water. That is why it is often referred to as the blue planet.
Q11