Chapter 12: Beyond Earth – Short Answer Type Questions
Class 6
Science
Chapter 12
Beyond Earth — 50 Short Answer Questions & Answers
Topic-wise short answer questions with clear, exam-friendly answers. Prepared strictly as per NCERT and ideal for CBSE Class 6 board exam standard revision.
CBSE Board Exam Guidance: For 2–4 mark answers, define the term, give 1–2 points and an example or diagram where relevant.
General & Basics
Understanding the Universe
Q1. What is the Universe?
The Universe includes all matter, energy, galaxies, stars, planets and space.
Q2. Define astronomy.
Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena beyond Earth.
Q3. What is a celestial body?
A natural object in space such as a star, planet, moon, asteroid or comet.
Q4. What is the Solar System?
The Solar System consists of the Sun and all objects bound to it by gravity, including planets and moons.
Q5. What is an orbit?
An orbit is the path followed by one object around another due to gravity, e.g., Earth orbits the Sun.
The Sun
Sun: Star at the Centre
Q6. What is the Sun made of?
Mainly hydrogen and helium gases.
Q7. What process produces energy in the Sun?
Nuclear fusion, where hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium.
Q8. Name two roles of the Sun for Earth.
Provides light and heat, drives weather and supports photosynthesis.
Q9. What is a sunspot?
A darker, cooler region on the Sun's surface caused by magnetic activity.
Q10. What are solar flares?
Sudden bursts of energy from the Sun that can affect satellites and communications.
The Moon
Earth’s Natural Satellite
Q11. What is the Moon?
The Moon is Earth's natural satellite that orbits our planet.
Q12. How long is the Moon's orbit around Earth?
About 27.3 days (sidereal month); phases repeat roughly every 29.5 days.
Q13. Why does the Moon show phases?
Because different parts of its sunlit side are visible from Earth as it moves around us.
Q14. Name two features on the Moon’s surface.
Craters and maria (dark plains).
Q15. Does the Moon have an atmosphere?
No, it has a very thin exosphere, not a substantial atmosphere.
Planets
Members of the Solar System
Q16. How many planets are there in the Solar System?
Eight: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
Q17. Which planet is nearest to the Sun?
Mercury.
Q18. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
Mars, due to iron oxide on its surface.
Q19. Which planet is the largest?
Jupiter.
Q20. Which planet has prominent rings?
Saturn.
Q21. What is a dwarf planet?
A body orbiting the Sun that is not dominant in its orbit, e.g., Pluto.
Q22. What are inner and outer planets?
Inner planets are rocky and close to Sun (Mercury–Mars); outer planets are gas/ice giants (Jupiter–Neptune).
Stars & Constellations
Lights in the Night Sky
Q23. What is a star?
A luminous ball of gas that generates light and heat by nuclear fusion.
Q24. Why do stars twinkle?
Because Earth's atmosphere bends starlight, causing apparent twinkling.
Q25. What is a constellation?
A recognizable pattern of stars seen from Earth, like Ursa Major.
Q26. How do star colours vary?
Colour depends on temperature; blue stars are hotter, red stars are cooler.
Q27. What is the Sun classified as?
A star — specifically a medium-sized (G-type) star.
Galaxies
Vast Star Systems
Q28. What is a galaxy?
A huge collection of stars, gas, dust and dark matter bound by gravity.
Q29. Name our galaxy.
The Milky Way.
Q30. Name three types of galaxies.
Spiral, elliptical and irregular.
Q31. Do galaxies contain planets?
Yes — many star systems within galaxies host planets.
Space Exploration
How We Study Space
Q32. What is a satellite?
An object that orbits another body; natural (Moon) or artificial (communication satellite).
Q33. What is a rocket?
A vehicle that carries spacecraft into space using thrust from fuel combustion.
Q34. What is a space probe?
An unmanned spacecraft sent to explore other planets and return data.
Q35. Give one use of satellites.
Weather forecasting (also communication, navigation, Earth observation).
Q36. Who was the first person to walk on the Moon?
Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11, 1969).
Telescopes & Observatories
Tools of Observation
Q37. What does a telescope do?
Collects and magnifies light to observe distant celestial objects.
Q38. Name a famous space telescope.
The Hubble Space Telescope.
Q39. What is a radio telescope?
A telescope that detects radio waves emitted by celestial objects.
Q40. Why build observatories at high altitudes?
To reduce atmospheric interference and get clearer views of the sky.
Miscellaneous & Quick Revision
Key Terms & Concepts
Q41. What is gravity?
A force that attracts objects toward each other, keeping planets in orbit.
Q42. What is an asteroid?
A small rocky body orbiting the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt.
Q43. What is a comet?
A small icy body that forms a glowing head and tail when near the Sun.
Q44. Define a light-year.
Distance that light travels in one year (~9.46 trillion km).
Q45. What is a planetary system?
A star and all objects orbiting it (planets, moons, asteroids), e.g., Solar System.
Q46. What is the difference between stars and planets?
Stars produce their own light; planets reflect the light of stars.
Q47. Why do we study space?
To understand the Universe, advance technology, and benefit life on Earth.
Q48. Give one way students can explore astronomy at home.
Observe Moon phases, use binoculars or a small telescope, and read about space missions.
Q49. What is a space mission?
A planned journey into space using rockets and spacecraft to study celestial objects or perform tasks.
Q50. Name one benefit of space exploration for everyday life.
Improved weather forecasting (also GPS, communication technologies, medical advances).
