CLASS-VIII

WORKSHEET-S1

STARS AND SOLAR SYSTEM

Q1. The star nearest to the earth is

a)      Pole star

b)      Sun

c)       Alpha centauri

d)      Proxima centauri

Q2. All the constituents of the milky way galaxy move

a)      Along a straight line away from its centre

b)      Around its centre

c)       Along a straight line towards its centre

d)      Along an ever changing zig-zag path

Q3. Stars having a very high temperature appear

a)      Red

b)      Blue

c)       White

d)      Yellow

Q4. Which two gases are present in the atmosphere of the largest planet? Of what is its cloud cover made of?

Q5. What are the satellites that generally appear to remain fix w.r.t the earth called? Write its one application also?

Q6. Rita observes an object in the sky which seems brightest after the sun and the moon. It is known that its size is nearly the same as that of the earth and it shows phases like moon.

a)      Identify the planet.

b)      What is its sense of rotation relative to that of earth?

Q7. List 3 conditions which help in sustaining life on earth.

Q8. Draw a labelled  diagram to show the position of the earth in different seasons.

Q9. What do you understand by the statement that a star is 4.3 light years away from the earth?

Q10. Draw the sketches to show the relative positions of prominent stars in:

a)      Ursa major

b)      Orion

c)       Cassiopeia

Q11. Why is mercury or venus often called morning or evening star?

Q 12. Fill in the blanks:

a)      Comet means a ___________ star.

b)      The colour of a star is determined by its ____________________.

c)       The big dipper constellation is also known as ___________________.

d)      Pole star defines ______________ direction.

e)      The temperature on the moon ranges from _____ _to ________.

f)       Asteroids are found between the orbits of _________ and __________.

g)      Moon takes nearly ______ days to make one complete revolution around the earth.

h)      Alpha centauri is at a distance of ________________ from the earth.

i)        Halley’s comet appears after every________ years.

j)        The tail of a comet is always directed _________ from the sun.

Q13.  Name the following:

a)      Red planet                                       

b)      Two Indian satellites                  

c)       Morning or evening star              

d)      Earth’s  galaxy        

e)      Largest asteroid

f)       Largest planet

g)      Brightest star in the night sky

h)      Two natural satellites of mars

i)        Artificial satellite

j)        Third largest planet

k)      Second nearest star to the earth

l)        Planet named after roman sea god

Q 14. Name the planet whose northern hemisphere remains in darkness for 40years. Which two gases have been detected in the atmosphere of this planet?

Q15.  What are comets? Name any one periodic comet.

Q16.   Differentiate between:

a)      Terrestrial and jovian planets

b)      Artificial and natural satellite