KSEEB Solutions for Class 8 English Reader Chapter 9 The Comet-1 Summary In English
This story in two parts presents a contrast between the reaction of scientists and that of superstitious people towards a natural calamity. Scientists think of a problem n a rational manner and try to find out its solution. On the other hand, religious people resort to meaningless rituals and superstitions. When some calamity is averted by the efforts of scientists, religious people try to take credit by saying that it was their mantras and yajnas that did the miracle.
Manoj Dutta (populary known as Duttada) was an amateur astronomer. I le was lovingly called Duttada by his friends arid relations. It was his ambition to discover a new’ comet. He had always longed for two things to fulfil this ambition of his—(I) a telescope and (2) spare time. He got both these things after his retirement He now had enough money to buy a good telescope of his own.
He named his telescope ’Dibya Chakshu’ or the divine eye. After his retirement, Duttada had also enough spare time to carry out his hobby of watching heavenly bodies through his telescope. Night after night, unmindful of the cold, he would spend many hours on the roof of his house in watching the stars.
One December night, Duttada’s ambition was fulfilled. He was able to discover a new comet. In a week’s time the observations of Duttada w ere verfied by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Banga¬lore, and found correct The new comet was named ‘Comet Dutta’.
Kseeb Class 8 English The Comet 1 Textbook Solutions
A number of functions were held in honour of Manoj Dutta. He was, no doubt, thankful to his friends and admirers for the honour they had given him. But he became sick of their loud praises. Being an introvert, he didn’t like all this publicity.
Duttada’s wife, Indrani Debi, thought that comets brought ill-luck She wished that a noble man like her husband should rot have been associated with the discovery of a comet Duttada tried to remove the unfounded fears of his wife. He said that there was no relation between the arrival of a comet and the calamities on the earth. He told her that the comet discovered by him would pass harmlessly and cause no harm to anyone. Dr James Forsyth of the King’s College, Cambridge, observed that Comet Dutta was fast heading towards the Earth. Unless some rare circumstances happened, the comet was going to collide against the Earth. According to his calculations, this cometary collision was expected in about ten months’ time. If it took place, it would wipe all life from the Earth.
Dr James Forsyth had written an article on his findings and calculations. He sent these for publication in ‘Nature’, the famous science journal published ‘rom London. But, before rt could be published, the article fell into the hands of one John Macpherson, the Defence Science Adviser to the British Government. He caJled Dr James Forsyth to his office and told him that he should not have written the article in such clear terms. He said that a wave of panic would go round the world if the article written by Dr James Forsyth was published. So the article was withdrawn and it was not published. John Macpherson suggested to Dr Forsyth that they should call a secret conference of experts and think of the steps that could be taken to avoid the catastrophe.
Class 8 English KSEEB The Comet-1 Summary In Hindi
‘धूमकेतु’ में एक प्राकृतिक विपत्ति के सम्बन्ध में वैज्ञानिकों और अन्धविश्वासी लोगों की अलग-अलग प्रतिक्रिया के बारे मेंबताया गया है। वैज्ञानिक किसी समस्या पर युक्तिसंगत ढंग से विचार करते हैं और उसका समाधान तलाश करने का प्रयत्न करते हैं। इसके विपरीत धार्मिक लोग अर्थहीन अन्धविश्वासों का आश्रय लेते हैं। जब वैज्ञानिकों के प्रयत्नों से कोई विपत्ति टल जाती है तो धार्मिक लोग इस बात का श्रेय लेते हैं कि ऐसी सफलता उनके यज्ञों द्वारा ही मिली है। श्री मनोज दत्ता अपने शौक के लिए खगोलीय पिण्डों आदि का अध्ययन करता था।
उसके मित्र तथा सम्बन्धी प्यार से उसे दत्तादा कहते थे। दत्तादा कोई धूमकेतु खोजने की अभिलाषा रखता था। इस आकांक्षा को पूरा करने के लिए वह दो चीजों की इच्छा करता था: (i) एक बढ़िया टैलिस्कोप (दूरबीन) और () ढेर सारा अवकाश का समय। नौकरी से रिटायर होने पर उसे ये दोनों चीजें प्राप्त हो गई। उसके पास पर्याप्त धन था और उसने एक दूरबीन खरीद ली। वह इसे दिव्य चक्षु कहा करता था।
उसकी पत्नी इसे दिव्या कहकर पुकारती थी। रिटायर होने के बाद दत्तादा के पास काफी खाली समय था जिससे वह अपनी छोटी दूरबीन द्वारा खगोलीय पिण्डों को देखने का शौक पूरा कर सकता था। आखिर दिसम्बर की एक रात को दत्तादा की अभिलाषा पूरी हो गई। वह एक नया धूमकेतु खोजने में सफल हो गया। एक सप्ताह के अन्दर Indian Institute of Astrophysis ने दत्तादा के विचारों की पुष्टि कर दी। उस धूमकेतु का नाम “धूमकेतु दत्ता” रखा गया।
मनोज दत्ता के सम्मान में अनेक समारोह हुए। वह इस मशहूरी और तड़क-भड़क वाले समारोहों से तंग आ गया। वह अपने मित्रों व प्रशंसकों का आभारी था कि उन्होंने उसे इतना सम्मान दिया था। परन्तु आवश्यकता से अधिक उनके द्वारा ऐसा किए जाने से वह तंग आ गया।
दत्तादा की पत्नी इन्द्रानी देवी एक अन्ध-विश्वासी स्त्री थी। उसका विचार था कि धूमकंतु दुर्भाग्य लाते हैं। वह चाहती थी कि उसके पति जैसा सज्जन व्यक्ति धूमकेतु आदि जैसी चीजों की खोज से कोई सम्बन्ध न रखे। दत्तादा ने अपनी पत्नी को विश्वास दिलाने का प्रयत्न किया कि धूमकंतु के आने तथा पृथ्वी की विपत्तियों में कोई सम्बन्ध नहीं होता है। उसने बतलाया कि जिस धूमकेतु की उसने खोज की है, वह कोई हानि किए बिना गुजर जायेगा।
किंग्स कॉलेज कैम्ब्रिज के डॉ. जेम्स फौरसाईथ ने गणना के आधार पर यह निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत किया कि “धूमकेतु दत्ता” तेजी से पृथ्वी की और बढ़ा रहा था। जब तक कोई विशेष परिस्थिति पैदा न हो जाये वह धूमकेतु पृथ्वी से टकरा जाएगा। इस टकराव से, जिसकी दस मास में होने की सम्भावना थी, पृथ्वी पर सब जीवों के नष्ट होने का खतरा था। डॉ. जेम्स फौरसाईथ ने अपने इन निष्कर्षों के बारे में एक लेख लिखा जो उसने लन्दन में प्रकाशित होने वाली विख्यात वैज्ञानिक पत्रिका “नेचर” में छपने के लिए भेजा। परन्तु छपने से पहले यह लेख ब्रिटिश सरकार के रक्षा विज्ञान परामर्शदाता
जॉन मैकफर्सन के पास पहुँचा। उसने जेम्स को अपने कार्यालय में बुलाया और कि उसे इतने निश्चयपूर्ण ढंग से ऐसा लेख नहीं लिखना चाहिए था। यदि वह लेख पत्रिका में छप गया तो सारे संसार में भय की एक लहर फैल जाएगी। उसने सुझाव दिया कि उन्हें एक सप्ताह के अन्दर अन्दर विशेषज्ञों की एक सभा बुलानी चाहिए और पृथ्वी पर आने वाली इस महा विपत्ति को टालने के उपाय सोचने चाहिएं।
The Comet-1 Word Meaning
The Comet 1 Class 8 English Kseeb Important Questions
The Comet-1 Textbook Exercises Comprehension Check-1
Question 1.Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada’s ‘hob nobbing’ with Dibya?
Answer. Inspite of doctor’s warning to take special precautions against the cold, Duttada goes on the roof where he has installed his ‘Dibya’. He does net even put on his sweater. That is why Indrani dislikes Duttada’s hobnobbing with Dibya.
Question 2.She (Indrani) is complaining and smiling.Why is she smiling?
Answer. On finding the bed empty and the aoor open, Indrani smiles thinking of her husband’s (Duttada’s) forgetfulness to the practical problems of living. She knows that he has gone on the roof to hobnob with ‘Dibya’.
Question 3.
(1) What was Duttada’s secret a
(2) What did he do to achieve it?
Answer.
(1) Duttada’s secret ambition was to discover a new comet
(2) After his retirement, Duttada got ample money to buy a telescope. To Duttada, the telescope marked the fulfilment of the ambition of a lifetime.
Question 4.What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?
Answer. Unlike a planet a comet can be new as it usually comes from the remote corners of the solar system. Like a planet a comet also orbits round the Sun. But the orbit of a comet is highly irregular.
Question 5.Why was Duttada hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon?
Answer. Duttada was optimistic. He knew that the professionals would be looking at faint stars and nebulous galaxies. They might miss such an insignificant thing as a comet He was, therefore, hopeful that he would discorver a new comet soon.
Question 6.Why does Duttada say—“I almost wish I had not discovered this comet?”
Answer. Duttada was an introvert. His discovery made him famous. He had to attend a number of receptions and functions. He did not like this overdose of publicity*. In disgust he said the given words to himself.
Question 7.Why is his (Duttada’s) wife unhappy about the discovery?
Answer. Duttada’s wife thinks that comets bring ill-luck So she is unhappy that a good man like her husband is associated with the discovery’ of a comet
The Comet-1 Comprehension Check-2
Question 1.How did Sir John get hold of Jame’s original manuscript?
Answer. James had given his findings about Come: Dutta to ‘Nature’, a famous science journal, to be published without delay. Taylor, the editor of‘Nature was a friend of Sir John. He met Sir John at lunch in the club and showed him the original manuscript Thus, Sir John got hold of James’s original manuscript.
Question 2.She (Indrani)is complaining and smiling.Why is she smiling?
Answer. On finding the bed empty and the aoor open, Indrani smiles thinking of her husband’s (Duttada’s) forgetfulness to the practical problems of living. She knows that he has gone on the roof to hobnob with ‘Dibya’.
Karnataka Sslc Class 8 English Chapter 9 Solutions In English
Question 3.Why does Sir John say that James’s paper should not be published?
Answer. James in his paper, predicts comet Dutta’s collision against the Earth. If this dreadful news is published it would send a wave of panic in the world.
Question 4.What do the two men finally decide to do?
Answer. The two men finally decide to hold an important secret conference of international experts.
The Comet-1 Class 8 KSEEB Questions And Answers
The Comet-1 Additional Questions Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What disturbed the sleep of Indrani Debi?
Answer. A burst of cool breeze from the window broke Indrani Debi’s sleep.
Question 2. What was Dibya Chakshu?
Answer. Dibya Chakshu was a telescope that Duttada had bought after his retirement.
Question 3. What did Indrani Debi find as she went on to the roof?
Answer. Indrani Debi found her husband, Duttada, looking into Dibya’s eyes.
Question 4. What was Duttada’s secret ambition?
Answer. Duttada’s secret ambition was to discover a new comet.
Question 5. What was the name given to the comet that Duttada discovered?
Answer. The comet was named Comet Dutta
Question 6. Who was John Macpherson?
Answer. John Macpherson was the Defence Science Advisor of the British Government.
Question 7. What was Dr Forsyth’s observation?
Answer. Dr Forsyth’s observation was that Comet Dutta would soon collide with the Earth.
The Comet-1 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Why did Indrani Debi give her husband a sweater?
Answer. Indrani Debi gave her husband a sweater because his doctor had advised him to take special precautions against the cold.
Question 2. How does Indrani Debi describe Dibya? Why?
Answer. Indrani Debi describes Dibya as a designing women who has ensnared her husband. Ever since this telescope has been bought, Duttada has been awake at night, spending all his time star-gazing,
Question 3. What made Duttada believe the night would be a big one!
Answer. When Duttada detected a faint stranger against the background of the same old stars, he believed that the night would be a big one.
Question 4. What does Sir John recommend to Dr Forsyth regarding his paper!
Answer. Sir John recommends Dr Forsyth to tone his paper down a little by adding many if’s and but’s. He asked him to make his conclusion appear not so certain.
Kseeb Class 8 English The Comet 1 Solved Exercises
The Comet-1 Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.How was Duttada’s life to be changed after the discovery of the new comet?
Answer.
Duttada was an introvert man. His life was to change forever after the discovery of a comet He would have to welcome a lot of publicity. He would have to attend numerous receptions and functions and during one of those receptions he would wish that he hadn’t discovered that comet at all. Dutta was an ordinary man. He was not amongst the people who liked to be in the limelight Astronomy was his passion and he had no intentions of gathering so much attention.
Question 2.What were the observations of Dr Forsyth? What were the ‘rare circumstances’ that he spoke about?
Answer.
After expert calculations and observations, Dr Forsyth had come to the conclusion that the newly discovered Comet Dutta would, within a year, collide with the Earth causing catastrophic destruction. Dr Forsyth was very sure of his observations and while sharing them with Sir John he gave a passing reference to the ‘rare circumstances’ that could avoid the collision of Comet Dutta with the Earth. These rare circumstances were the collision of Comet Dutta with some asteroid before reaching the Earth or its evaporation or melting up near the Sun.
KSEEB Solutions for Class 8 English Karnataka State Syllabus
- Chapter 1 The Best Christmas Present in the World
- Chapter 2 The Tsunami
- Chapter 3 Glimpses of the past
- Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse Of Memory
- Chapter 5 The Summit Within
- Chapter 6 This Is Jody’s Fawn
- Chapter 7 A Visit to Cambridge
- Chapter 8 A Short Monsoon Diary
- Chapter 9 The Great Stone Face 1
- Chapter 9 The Comet-1
- Chapter 10 The Comet-2
KSEEB Class 8 English Supplementary Readers contains Textbook Readers and Supplementary Readers of all chapters are part of Revision Notes for grade 8 English. Here we have given notes Class VIII.