Class-8, English (It So Happened), Chapter -9 (The Comet - I ) Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions

 English

(It So Happened)

Class -8, Chapter -9

(The Comet - I )

Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions  

-- Summary --

⭐ Summary In English:- 

I

• Dibya’s Magic Spell on Duttada:- It was a moonless night in December. A cool breeze from the window disturbed the sleep of Indrani Debi. She was the wife of an amateur scientist, Duttada. She felt for the adjoining pillow. Duttada was not there. He was busy observing stars through his telescope, called Dibya Chakshu. He did not bother even to close the door. Nor did he put on a sweater to protect himself against the cold. Dibya had cast a magic spell on him.

• Duttada’s Ambition of Life:- Indrani Debi found Duttada looking through his telescope. To her the telescope was like a cunning woman who had ensnared her husband. It was his ambition to have enough money to buy a telescope. He also needed spare time to observe the stars. At retirement, he got both. Now Duttada spent long dark nights in observing stars.

• Characteristics of a Comet:- Duttada had a secret ambition to discover a new comet. Comets can be new as they come from the distant corners of the solar system. Like planets, they orbit round the sun. When a comet comes near the sun, its longish tail shines in the sunlight. Then it disappears for many years.

• Duttada’s Optimism:- Duttada was optimistic about the discovery of a new comet. The reason was that professional astronomers were more interested in galaxies. In fact, amateur astronomers often discovered new comets which professionals had missed.

• Duttada’s Discovery:- Duttada thought that that night was going to be a big night. The reason was that he had seen something faint behind the ‘same old stars’. He made some calculations on his calculator. There was no mistake. It was a new comet.

• News in ‘Ananda Bazar Patrika’:- News about Duttada’s discovery was published in the ‘Ananda Bazar Patrika’. It was reported that Duttada had discovered a new comet. He had informed the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore about its location. Duttada claimed that the comet could clearly be seen in the next few months. He used his eight-inch telescope, Dibya Chakshu to make this discovery. The IIA confirmed the discovery. It was named Comet Dutta.

• Problems of Duttada:- Duttada was an introvert. He felt disgusted with the many receptions and functions which he had to attend. He wished not to have made this discovery. Indrani Debi also agreed with him. He asked why she wanted so. She said that comets bring bad luck. So she did not want Duttada to have made this discovery.

• Duttada’s Explanation:- Indrani Debi was an M.A. So Duttada was surprised at his being superstitious. He told her that the arrival of a comet had nothing to do with calamities on the earth. There is nothing harmful about them. Duttada assured her that his comet will do no harm to anybody. However, he was not fully confident.

II

• King’s College, Cambridge:- In King’s College, Cambridge, the butler gave an envelope to the Provost. The Provost called James, an astronomer, and gave him the envelope. When James opened the envelope, it had a brief note. It was sent by John Macpherson. He wanted him to come to his office in London that very night. He told him to keep his visit strictly confidential. It was a note from Defence Science Advisor.

• Visit to Whitehall:- Johnson, security officer at Whitehall, had come to take James to London. Soon his car brought them to Whitehall. They soon reached the office of Sir John Macpherson. Johnson introduced James to Sir John and went out. Sir John gave him a typescript. It was meant to be published in ‘Nature’. James was surprised to see the original manuscript in his hand. He asked him how he had got it.

• Sir John’s Explanation:- Sir John told him that Taylor, the editor of ‘Nature’, was his friend. But James said that he had asked ‘Nature’ to publish it without delay. Since it was important, it should not be published in this hurry. In fact, Taylor had asked Sir John’s opinion about the manuscript before publishing it. That was why, it was in his hand now.

• Possibility of Catastrophe:- James had predicted that Comet Dutta would collide with the earth. This would be a great catastrophe. He told Sir John that he had made his calculations very carefully. Except for some rare circumstances, the collision would take place certainly. But Sir John asked what those circumstances were. James said that it might collide with some asteroid. Secondly, it might break up or evaporate near the sun.

• How to stop collision:- Sir John said that they should stop this collision. It is going to happen in a year. In fact, ten months, to be exact. So living beings have only ten months to survive. But James asked him how they could prevent that natural catastrophe. Sir John suggested that they should call a meeting of experts. They should maintain total secrecy. Otherwise there would be panic in the world.

• Sir John’s Suggestion:- Sir John suggested that James should tone down the paper. He should show the conclusion appear not so certain. He will request friends in other countries to use restraint for sometime. This would be done till the comet was safe. He asked James if they should call an International Conference within a week’s time. James thought that it was an impossible task. But Sir John began to make preparations.

⭐ Summary In Hindi:- 

I

• दिब्या का दत्तादा पर जादुई असर:- दिसम्बर में अमावस्या की एक रात थी। खिड़की से चल रही ठंडी हवा ने इन्द्राणी देवी की नींद खराब कर दी। वह एक शौकिया वैज्ञानिक दत्तादा की पत्नी थी। उसने पास के तकिए को हाथ से छुआ। दत्तादा वहाँ नहीं थे। वह दिब्य चक्षु नाम की अपनी दूरबीन से सितारे देख रहा था। उसने न दरवाजा बन्द करने की चिन्ता की। न ही अपने आप को ठंड से बचाने के लिए अपना स्वेटर पहना। दिव्या ने उस पर जादुई असर कर दिया था।

• दत्तादा के जीवन की महत्त्वाकांक्षा:- इन्द्राणी देवी ने दत्तादा को दूरबीन से देखते हुए पाया। उसके लिए दूरबीन एक चालाक औरत की तरह थी जिसने उसके पति को फाँस लिया था। दत्तादा की यह महत्त्वाकांक्षा थी कि उसके पास दूरबीन खरीदने के लिए काफी पैसा हो। यह भी आवश्यक था कि सितारे देखने के लिए उसके पास फालतू समय हो। सेवामुक्त होने पर उसको दोनों मिल गए। अब दत्तादा लम्बी अन्धेरी रातें सितारे देखने में बिताते थे।

• धूमकेतु की विशेषताएँ:- दत्तादा में एक छिपी हुई महत्त्वाकांक्षा थी कि वह एक नया धूमकेतु खोजें। धूमकेतु नए हो सकते हैं क्योंकि वे सौरमंडल के दूर दराज कोनों से आते हैं। नक्षत्रों की तरह वे सूर्य का चक्कर लगाते हैं। जब एक धूमकेतु सूर्य के समीप आता है तो इसकी लम्बी सी पूँछ सूर्य की रोशनी में चमकती है। फिर काफी सालों तक वह नजर नहीं आता है।

• दत्तादा का आशावाद:- दत्तादा एक नए धूमकेतु की खोज के बारे में आशान्वित थे। कारण यह था कि पेशेवर खगोलशास्त्री आकाश गंगाओं में ज्यादा दिलचस्पी लेते थे। वास्तव में जो धूमकेतु पेशेवर खगोल शास्त्रियों को नहीं मिलते उनको शौकिया खगोलशास्त्री खोज लेते थे।

• दत्तादा की खोज:- दत्तादा ने सोचा कि वह रात एक महत्त्वपूर्ण रात होगी। कारण यह था कि उसे ‘उन्हीं पुराने सितारों के पीछे हल्की सी कोई एक चीज नजर आई थी। उसने अपने गणक पर हिसाब लगाया। उसने कोई गलती नहीं की थी। वह एक नया धूमकेतु ही था।

• ‘आनन्द बाजार पत्रिका’ में खबर:- दत्तादा की खोज की खबर ‘ आनन्द बाजार पत्रिका में प्रकाशित हुई। यह रिपोर्ट किया गया कि दत्तादा ने नया धूमकेतु खोजा था। उसकी स्थिति के बारे में उसने बैंगलोर के Indian Institute of Astrophysics को सूचित कर दिया था। दत्तादा ने दावा किया कि धूमकेतु को अगले कुछ महीनों में साफ-साफ देखा जा सकता था। उसने अपनी 8-इंच की दूरबीन, दिब्य चक्षु का इस खोज के लिए उपयोग किया। IIA ने खोज की पुष्टि कर दी। इसका नाम ‘धूमकेतु दत्ता’ रखा गया।

• दत्तादा की समस्याएँ:- दत्तादा, एक अन्तर्मुखी था। उसके लिए जो बहुत से स्वागत समारोह और उत्सव किए गए उनसे उसका मन ऊब गया। वह चाहने लगा कि अच्छा होता वह यह खोज न करता। इन्द्राणी देवी भी उसके साथ सहमत थी। उसने पूछा वह ऐसा क्यों चाहती थी। उसने जवाब दिया कि धूमकेतु बुरा भाग्य लाते हैं। इसलिए वह नहीं चाहती थी कि दत्तादा यह खोज करते।

• दत्तादा को स्पष्टीकरण:- इन्द्राणी देवी एम.ए. पास थी। इसलिए दत्तादा को उसके अन्धविश्वासी होने पर आश्चर्य हुआ। उसने उसे बताया कि धूमकेतुओं के आने से जमीन पर कोई दुर्घटना नहीं होती है। उनसे कोई हानि नहीं होती। दत्तादा ने उसे विश्वास दिलवाया कि उसका धूमकेतु किसी को नुकसान नहीं पहुँचायेगा। हालाँकि वह पूर्ण रूप से आश्वस्त नहीं था।

II

• किंग्स कॉलेज, कैम्ब्रिज:- Kings College में खानसामे ने अध्यक्ष को एक लिफाफा दिया। अध्यक्ष ने James नाम के खगोलशास्त्री को बुलाया और लिफाफा दे दिया। जब James ने लिफाफा खोला तो उसमें एक संक्षिप्त पत्र था। यह John Macpherson द्वारा भेजा गया था। वे उससे उसी रात अपने दफ्तर लन्दन में मिलना चाहते थे। उसने उनको अपना आना बिलकुल गुप्त रखने के लिए कहा। यह पत्र Defence Science Advisor से था।

• Whitehall में मुलाकात:- whitehall का सुरक्षा अधिकारी Johnson, James को London ले जाने के लिए आया था। जल्दी ही उसकी गाड़ी उनको whitehall ले आई। वे जल्दी ही Sir John Macpherson के दफ्तर पहुँच गए। Johnson ने James का Sir John से परिचय करवाया और वहाँ से चला गया। Sir John ने उसे टाइप किया हुआ लेख दिया। यह Nature’ में छापने के लिए था। James को उनके हाथ में मौलिक हस्तलिपि देखकर आश्चर्य हुआ। उसने उससे पूछा उसे यह कैसे मिला।

• Sir John का स्पष्टीकरण:- Sir John ने बताया कि ‘Nature’ का सम्पादक Taylor उनका दोस्त था। परन्तु James ने कहा कि उसने तो ‘Nature को बगैर देरी के छापने को कहा था। चूँकि यह लेख महत्त्वपूर्ण था इसलिए उसे ऐसी जल्दी में छपना नहीं चाहिए था। वास्तव में Taylor ने छापने से पहले इस लेख पर Sir John के विचार देने के लिए कहा था। इसीलिए अब वह उसके पास था।

• दुर्घटना की सम्भावना:- James ने भविष्यवाणी की थी कि धूमकेतु दत्ता’ जमीन से टकराएगा। यह एक बड़ी दुर्घटना होगी। उसने Sir John को बताया कि उसने अपना हिसाब बहुत सावधानी से लगाया था। कुछ असाधारण हालात को छोड़कर टकराव निश्चित रूप से होगा। परन्तु Sir John ने पूछा वे हालात क्या होंगे। उसने कहा यह किसी Asteroid से टकरा सकता है। दूसरे, यह सूर्य के पास टुकड़े-टुकड़े । हो सकता है या वाष्प बनकर गायब हो सकता है।

• टकराव को कैसे रोका जाए:- Sir John ने कहा कि उन्हें टकराव रोकना चाहिए। यह एक साल में होने वाला है। दरअसल ठीक 10 महीनों में। इस तरह प्राणियों के पास जीवित रहने के लिए केवल दस महीने बचे हैं। परन्तु James ने उससे पूछा कि वे उस प्राकृतिक दुर्घटना को कैसे रोक सकते हैं। Sir John ने सुझाव दिया कि इस पर विचार करने के लिए उनको विशेषज्ञ बुलाने चाहिएँ। उनको पूरी गोपनीयता बनाए रखनी चाहिए। वरना तो संसार में तहलका मच जाएगा।

• Sir John का सुझाव:- Sir John ने सुझाव दिया कि James अपने लेख को हल्का कर दे। उसे परिणाम इतना निश्चित नहीं दिखाना चाहिए। वह दूसरे देशों में भी दोस्तों को कुछ समय के लिए नियन्त्रण के लिए कहेगा। यह तब तक किया जाएगा जब तक धूमकेतु सुरक्षित नहीं हो जाता। उसने James से पूछा कि क्या वे एक सप्ताह में अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय गोष्ठी बुला लेंगे। James ने सोचा कि यह एक असम्भव काम था। परन्तु Sir John तैयारी करने लग गए।

-- Word Meanings -- 

• Adjoining - लगा हुआ

• Hobnob - मेलजोल रखना 

• Bother - परेशान होना 

• Oblivious - अनजान 

• Acquire - प्राप्त करना

• Astronomer - खगोलज्ञ

• Eccentric - सनकी

• Recede - कम होना

• Apologies - माफी मांगना

• Imposition - भार

• Aspersions - कलंक 

• Inevitable - जरूरी

• Fortuitous - आकस्मिक

• Restraint - रोकना 

• Optimistic - आशावादी

• Nebulous - धुंधला

• Smudges - धब्‍बे डालना

• Meticulous - बहुत सतर्क

• Introvert - अंतमुर्खी व्‍यक्ति, शांत 

• Disgust - प्रबल अनिच्‍छा

• Calamities - कठोर विपत्ति

• Manuscripts - हस्‍तलिखित प्राचीन ग्रंथ या दस्‍तावेज़

-- NCERT Solutions -- 

Comprehension Check (Page 77)

Question 1.- Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada’s “hobnobbing’ with Dibya?

Answer:- “Dibya’ was the name given by Indrani Debi. It was a telescope. Dattada was always busy during night with Dibya. He never cared for his wife or about himself. So his wife disliked it as her rival.

Question 2.- She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling?

Answer:- She complains that Dibya has cast a spell on her husband. But she could not help smiling at his childlike behaviour. He did not bother to close the door and he forgot to put on his sweater.

Question 3.-

i) What was Duttada’s secret ambition?

Answer:- Duttada’s secret ambition was to buy a good telescope and to have enough of spare time to watch the stars. 

ii) What did he do to achieve it?

Answer:- He waited for his retirement. After retirement he got sufficient funds. Then he bought a telescope and he started gazing at the stars without caring for his wife and life.

Question 4.- What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?

Answer:- A planet has a fixed orbit. A comet comes from the distant comers of the solar system. It keeps on changing.

Question 5.- Why was Duttada hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon?

Answer:- Duttada was hopeful of discovering a new comet because he knew that professional astronomers did not consider them significant and ignored them.

Question 6.- does Duttada say____ “I almost wish I had not discovered this comet”.

Answer:- The discovery of the new comet brought Duttada publicity which he did not like. He had to attend many receptions and functions. So he wished he hadn’t discov­ered that new comet.

Question 7.- Why is his wife unhappy about the discovery?

Answer:- The discovery of the new comet made Duttada’s wife unhappy. She was supersti­tious. She thought that the discovery would bring calamities on the family as well as on the earth.

Comprehension Check (Page 80)

Question 1.- How did Sir John get hold of James’ original manuscript?

Answer:- Sir John got hold of James’ original manuscript from Mr. Taylor who wanted to get his opinion before sending it to a professional referee.

Question 2.- What is the important point the paper makes?

Answer:- The paper makes the important point that Duttada’s comet would collide with the earth.

Question 3.- Why does Sir John say that James’paper should not be published?

Answer:- Sir John opposes the publication of James’ paper because his prediction would cause widespread panic in the world.

Question 4.- What do the two men finally decide to do?

Answer:- The two men finally agree to organise a secret conference of international experts to plan how to avert the calamity.

-- Frequently Asked Questions --

Question 1.- What did Indrani Debi think about Duttada’s telescope?

Answer:- Indrani Debi thought that Duttada’s telescope was like a designing woman who had ensnared her husband. She used to call it Dibya.

Question 2.- What news was published in the Ananda Bazaar Patrika two days later?

Answer:- The news was- 

"Calcutta Man Discovers New Comet"

Shri Manoj Dutta, a resident on the northern outskirts of Calcutta has claimed to have discovered a new comet. He has seen the comet on the last two nights and has informed the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at Bangalore of its whereabouts.

Question 3.- What did the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) do after getting the infor­mation about the discovery of the new comet?

Answer:- The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) confirmed the findings and communi­cated it worldwide. It named the new comet after its discoverer.

Question 4.- How did Duttada take his publicity?

Answer:- Duttada was not happy with his publicity. Being an introvert, he didn’t like at­tending numerous receptions and functions organised in his honour. He got so fed up that he began to think that he had not discovered the comet.

Question 5.- How can you say that Indrani Debi was a superstitious lady?

Answer:- Indrani Debi was an educated woman but at the same time she was supersti­tious also. She didn’t welcome the discovery of the new comet. She thought that it would bring calamities on her family as well as on the entire earth.

Question 6.- What was Duttada’s hobby and secret ambition? How did he succeed in his adventure?

Answer:- Duttada was an amateur astronomer. Star gazing was his hobby. But he had a scientific attitude. His secret ambition in life was to discover a comet or a shooting star. After his retirement he got the funds to buy a telescope and leisure enough to watch the stars. He named his eight-inch telescope Dibya-chakshu. He was successful in search. He discovered a comet heading towards the earth. It was called Dutta comet. The news spread world over. James Forsyth predicted that the comet would collide with the earth and destroy it. Dutta’s wife, Indrani Debi, was afraid that the comet would cause ruin. She arranged a Yajna to pacify the evil spirit behind the comet. But the world scientists prepared a plan to make a nuclear explosion and deflect the comet from its path. The operation was named Project Light Brigade. It was successful. The world was saved. But Indrani Debi gave all credit to the holy yajna she got performed.

Question 7.- How does the new comet create a commotion in the world? How was the disaster averted at last?

Answer:- Duttada took up star gazing as a hobby. His secret ambition was to discover a new comet. He used a small telescope and discovered a comet heading towards the earth. James Forsyth calculated that the comet would hit the earth in ten months. Comet Dutta created a commotion and panic among the scientists. Sir John Macpherson prepared a secret plan to give a push to the deadly comet. It was called Project Light Brigade. The operation was successful and the disaster was averted. But Duttada’s wife attributed the safety of the earth to the yajna she had performed.

Question 8.- Bring out the difference in outlook of Duttada and his wife in respect of the new comet. Who do you think deserves the crown of victory?

Answer:- Duttada was an amateur scientist. Star gazing was his hobby. His secret ambition was to discover a new comet. He pursued his hobby firmly. He discovered a comet, heading towards the earth. He knew it could hit and destroy the earth. But the crisis could be averted by exploding a nuclear payload near the comet. This was a sensible and scientific approach. But his wife Indrani Debi was a superstitious woman. She went by what the priests said. To avert the ill-effect of the discovery, she organised a yajna. In the end she gave all credit for the safely of the earth to the yajna.

Question 9.- were James Forsyth’s predictions’? What did he mean by rare circumstances?

Answer:- James Forsyth predicted that the effect of the collision between the comet and the earth would be terrific. Their assessment was based on the calculations. The collision was unavoidable unless the comet split up near the sun and disappeared. Or it might collide with some other comet before reaching the earth. Otherwise, the comet would take ten months to hit the earth. These were the two rare circumstances. 

-- By Durgesh Pandey

(Eklavya Coaching Institute)