Chapter 12: Beyond Earth – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Beyond Earth — 40 MCQs with Answers & Explanations
Topic-wise multiple choice questions with clear, concept-clearing explanations. Prepared strictly as per NCERT for CBSE Class 6.
What is Astronomy?
Explanation: Astronomy is the branch of science that explores stars, planets, galaxies and related phenomena.
Which of the following is NOT a celestial body?
Explanation: Trees are Earth-based living organisms, not objects in space.
Our Solar System is centered on which object?
Explanation: The Sun's gravity holds planets, comets and asteroids in orbit, forming the Solar System.
Which term describes the path of a planet around the Sun?
Explanation: An orbit is the curved path a body follows around another due to gravity.
What is a light-year?
Explanation: A light-year is an astronomical distance unit (~9.46 trillion km) used for stars and galaxies.
Which process powers the Sun?
Explanation: Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium in the Sun's core, releasing energy as light and heat.
Sunspots are:
Explanation: Sunspots appear darker because they are cooler areas caused by magnetic activity.
Solar flares can cause:
Explanation: Solar flares release charged particles that disturb Earth's ionosphere and satellite electronics.
Which gas is most abundant in the Sun?
Explanation: The Sun is mainly composed of hydrogen, which fuels fusion reactions.
Why does the Sun appear much larger and brighter than other stars?
Explanation: The Sun's proximity makes it appear brighter even though many stars are larger but much farther away.
The Moon is Earth's:
Explanation: The Moon orbits Earth and is a natural companion, not a planet or star.
Phases of the Moon are caused by:
Explanation: Phases depend on the relative positions of Sun, Earth and Moon.
Which feature is common on the Moon's surface?
Explanation: Impact craters from meteoroids are widespread due to lack of atmosphere and erosion.
Does the Moon have its own light?
Explanation: The Moon shines by reflecting the Sun’s light; it does not produce light itself.
Which effect on Earth is directly caused by the Moon?
Explanation: The Moon's gravitational pull causes tidal bulges, producing high and low tides.
Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
Explanation: Iron oxide on Mars' surface gives it a reddish appearance.
Which planet has a ring system most prominent?
Explanation: Saturn's rings are made of ice and rock particles and are the most visible among planets.
Which is the largest planet in the Solar System?
Explanation: Jupiter is a gas giant with the greatest mass and size among planets in our Solar System.
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Explanation: Mercury orbits nearest to the Sun and has extreme temperatures due to thin atmosphere.
What classifies an object as a dwarf planet?
Explanation: Dwarf planets like Pluto are round but share their orbital zone with other objects.
Which planet is known for its extreme greenhouse effect and scorching surface?
Explanation: Venus has a dense CO₂-rich atmosphere causing very high surface temperatures.
Which planets are called terrestrial planets?
Explanation: Terrestrial planets are rocky, smaller and closer to the Sun compared to gas giants.
Which feature helps identify Earth as habitable?
Explanation: Liquid water and a stable atmosphere with oxygen support life as we know it.
Stars produce light because of:
Explanation: Fusion in stars converts hydrogen to helium, releasing energy as light and heat.
Which constellation contains the Big Dipper?
Explanation: The Big Dipper is an asterism within the Ursa Major constellation used historically for navigation.
Why do stars appear to twinkle?
Explanation: Turbulence in the atmosphere bends starlight slightly, making stars appear to twinkle.
Star colour indicates:
Explanation: A star’s colour relates to its surface temperature and influences its spectral type.
Which of these is our galaxy?
Explanation: The Milky Way is the spiral galaxy that contains our Solar System.
What is a satellite (in the context of space)?
Explanation: Satellites can be natural (Moon) or artificial (communication satellites).
Which vehicle carries spacecraft into space?
Explanation: Rockets provide the thrust needed to overcome Earth's gravity and place payloads into space.
Why are robotic probes sent to other planets?
Explanation: Probes gather images, chemical and atmospheric data remotely, helping study planets and moons safely and economically.
Which of these is a benefit of satellites?
Explanation: Satellites monitor atmospheric conditions enabling accurate weather prediction and disaster management.
Who was the first person to walk on the Moon?
Explanation: Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the lunar surface during Apollo 11 in 1969.
What is a rover in space missions?
Explanation: Rovers explore planetary surfaces, take images and conduct experiments (e.g., Mars rovers).
What advantage do space telescopes have over ground-based ones?
Explanation: Space telescopes avoid atmospheric absorption and blurring, enabling clearer and broader observations.
Why are observatories often built at high altitudes?
Explanation: High-altitude sites provide clearer skies and less atmospheric interference for telescopes.
Which type of telescope detects invisible radio waves?
Explanation: Radio telescopes observe radio-frequency signals emitted by celestial sources, revealing different information than visible light.
Which famous space telescope has provided deep images of distant galaxies?
Explanation: Hubble has taken high-resolution images of distant galaxies, nebulae and contributed to many discoveries.
What is space debris?
Explanation: Space debris poses collision risks to active satellites and spacecraft and requires mitigation strategies.
Which of these is a direct benefit of space technology?
Explanation: Space technology enables communication, navigation, disaster management and many daily conveniences.