Chapter 9 ( Comet-I )
(I)
Q1) Why does Indrani
Devi dislike Duttada’s ‘hobnobbing’ with Dibya?
Ans) Dibya was the telescope of Duttada. He bought it after
his retirement. It was his dream for long to have both - his own telescope and
time to observe the night sky. He spent lot of time with the telescope. When he
was with Dibya, he became so absorbed that he forgot the world around him, even
his wife. That’s why his wife disliked the Dibya.
Q2) She is complaining
and smiling. Why is she smiling?
Ans) On one winter night Indrani devi’s sleep was disturbed
by the cool breeze. She awoke and found that Duttada was not on his bed. She
became annoyed but smiled on a second thought. Duttada was so attached to his
telescope Dibya and his star-observations that he even forgot to wore his
sweater in this cold December night. Indrani Devi accepted that he could not
remember to close the door.
Q3) (i) What was
Duttada’s secret ambition?
Ana) Like every other amateur astronomer Duttada’s secret
ambition was to discover a new comet.
Q3) (ii) What did he do
to achieve it?
Ans) He invested many night on his roof with his eight-inch
telescope Divya. He observed the star studded sky for hours, examined his
charts and made various calculations. He worked meticulously for many nights
and finally discovered a distant comet.
Q4) What is the
difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?
Ans) A planet and a comet both revolve around the Sun but
orbit of the comet is very eccentric. It seems to come from a corner of a solar
system. Sometimes it comes close to the sun and becomes visible. It has a long
tail that is lit in sunlight. And then it again moves in the dark for to be
seen after many years or centuries sometime.
Q5) Why was Duttada
hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon?
Ans) Duttada knew that professional astronomers with their
pre-assigned programs observe stars and nebulous galaxy. Their focus was not on
a small object like comet. Moreover many amateur astronomers had discovered
comets in past. So he was optimistic that he would succeed in observing a new
comet.
Q6) Why is his wife
unhappy about the discovery?
Ans) His wife was unhappy with the discovery of a new comet
that is done by his husband. She was an orthodox lady who believed that arrival
of a comet would bring misfortune for the discoverer as well as for the earth.
She had full faith on the superstition that comet would cause ill effects on
the earth.
(II)
Q1) How did Sir John
get hold of James original manuscript?
Ans) Sir John was a defense science advisor to Her majesty’s
government. He got hold of James original manuscript from the editor, Taylor,
of the Nature. Taylor was a friend of Sir john and showed him the paper of
James in a dinner. Sir John found the papers very important and then kept with
him for further consideration.
Q2) What is the
important point the paper make?
Ans) The paper made an important point that if comet Dutta
followed its current trajectory, it would collide with the earth. It would be
catastrophic. James had recalculated his work and according to him this
incident is inevitable.
Q3) Why does Sir John
say that James’ paper should not be published?
Ans) Sir John said that James’ paper should not be published
because the predictions made by James were very frightening. It might create
panic among people. If his calculation is correct, comet Dutta would collide
with the earth.It could be the end of life on earth.
Q4) What do the two men
finally decide to do?
Ans) Both men understood the gravity of the situation. They
agreed that James paper should not be published in this form. It should be
scaled down by using many ifs and buts to make the conclusion appeared not so
certain.
Secondly, they needed more brains to tackle this natural
catastrophe. Sir John decided to call a meeting of international experts within
a week.