Class 6 Science Chapter 12 Beyond Earth, takes you on a fascinating journey into space. In this chapter, you will learn about the stars, constellations, planets, and other celestial bodies that fill the sky.
You will explore how ancient people used the stars to find directions and how we can still spot star patterns today. The chapter introduces the Solar System, its eight planets, and other space objects like moons, comets, and asteroids. You will also discover our Milky Way Galaxy and get a glimpse into the vast Universe that lies beyond.
The chapter introduces students to the wonders of the night sky and the celestial objects beyond our planet Earth. From identifying constellations and planets to learning about our solar system, galaxies, and universe, this chapter nurtures curiosity about space and astronomy.
Beyond Earth
What you will learn
- The Sun is a star that supports life on Earth.
- Planets revolve around the Sun. Earth is one of them.
- The Moon is Earth’s natural satellite.
- The sky contains stars, constellations, planets, comets, and asteroids.
- Our Solar System is part of the Milky Way Galaxy.
- The Universe contains many such galaxies.
Download our Beyond Earth worksheet today and get ahead in competition.
Also download:
Class 6 Hindi Worksheet with Answers
Science Worksheets for Class 6
Ganita Prakash Class 6 Solutions
Class 6 Science Chapter 12 Notes
Stars and Constellations
- Stars are huge balls of hot gases that shine with their own light.
- A constellation is a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern.
- Common constellations: Orion (The Hunter), Taurus (The Bull), Canis Major (The Dog).
- Pole Star (Dhruva Tārā) helps in finding the North direction. It is part of the Little Dipper in the Ursa Minor constellation.
- In India, the Big Dipper is called Saptarishi.
- 88 constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Night Sky Watching
- Best viewed from dark, open areas with little or no light pollution.
- Light pollution makes it harder to see stars.
- Tools: Sky Map and Stellarium apps help locate stars and constellations.
Tips for sky watching:
- Choose a moonless, clear night.
- Avoid tall trees and buildings.
- Let your eyes adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes.
- Use a compass and a notebook for notes.
Our Solar System
- Sun is the nearest star to Earth, ~150 million km away.
- Provides light and heat essential for life on Earth.
- Astronomical Unit (au): Distance between Earth and Sun.
The eight planets (in order from the Sun):
- Mercury
- Venus (Morning/Evening Star)
- Earth (Blue Planet)
- Mars (Red Planet)
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
Other Solar System Objects:
- Dwarf planets like Pluto are smaller and do not meet the new IAU definition of a planet.
- Moons are natural satellites (e.g., Earth’s Moon).
- Asteroids: Small rocky objects mainly between Mars and Jupiter (Asteroid Belt).
- Comets: Icy objects with glowing tails when near the Sun. Example: Halley’s Comet.
- Telescopes and binoculars help view distant celestial bodies.
The Moon – Earth’s Satellite
- Distance from Earth: ~384,000 km.
- Takes 27 days to revolve around the Earth.
- Covered in craters due to asteroid impacts.
- India’s Chandrayaan Missions (1, 2, 3) explored the Moon. Chandrayaan-3 landed near the Moon’s south pole in 2023.
- August 23 is celebrated as National Space Day in India.
The Milky Way Galaxy
- Milky Way (Ākāśha Gangā): Our home galaxy.
- Contains billions of stars, including our Sun.
- Appears as a faint band in the night sky from dark locations.
The Universe
- The universe contains many galaxies beyond the Milky Way.
- Scientists search for exoplanets to explore the possibility of life.
- No evidence of life has been found outside Earth yet.
Beyond Earth Question Answer
Q1. What is a constellation?
Ans. A constellation is a group of stars that appear to form a pattern in the night sky.
Q2. What is the Big Dipper?
Ans. The Big Dipper is a prominent asterism in the constellation Ursa Major.
Q3. What is light pollution and how does it affect stargazing?
Ans. Light pollution is excessive artificial light that hinders our ability to see stars at night. It scatters and obscures starlight, making it difficult to observe celestial objects.
Q4. What was India’s Chandrayaan mission?
Ans. India’s Chandrayaan mission was a series of lunar exploration missions launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Q5. What are an asteroid?
Ans. Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Q6. Name the eight planets in order of their distance from the Sun.
Ans. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Q7. What are comets?
Ans. Comets are celestial objects composed of ice, dust, and rock that orbit the Sun in highly elliptical orbits.
