NCERT Solutions for Class 8th Science
Chapter 17 – STARS AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM
(Complete Downloadable Chapter Solution PDF file is at the bottom of the page)
Choose the correct answer in Questions 1-3:
Q.1 Which of the following is NOT a member of the solar system?
(a) An asteroid
(b) A satellite
(c) A constellation
(d) A comet
Ans (c) A constellation
Q.2 Which of the following is NOT a planet of the sun?
(a) Sirius
(b) Mercury
(c) Saturn
(d) Earth
Ans (a) Sirius
Q.3 Phases of the moon occur because
(a) we can see only that part of the moon which reflects light towards us.
(b) our distance from the moon keeps changing.
(c) the shadow of the Earth covers only a part of moon’s surface.
(d) the thickness of the moon’s atmosphere is not constant.
Ans (a) we can see only that part of the moon which reflects light towards us.
Q.4 Fill in the blanks:
(a) The planet which is farthest from the Sun is ____________.
(b) The planet which appears reddish in colour is ____________.
(c) A group of stars that appear to form a pattern in the sky is known as a ____________.
(d) A celestial body that revolves around a planet is known as __________.
(e) Shooting stars are actually not ____________.
(f) Asteroids are found between the orbits of _________ and _________.
Ans (a) The planet which is farthest from the Sun is _Neptune_.
(b) The planet which appears reddish in colour is _Mars_.
(c) A group of stars that appear to form a pattern in the sky is known as a _constellation_.
(d) A celestial body that revolves around a planet is known as _satellite_.
(e) Shooting stars are actually not _stars_.
(f) Asteroids are found between the orbits of _Mars_ and _Jupiter_.
Q.5 Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F):
(a) Pole Star is a member of the solar system. ( )
(b) Mercury is the smallest planet of the solar system. ( )
(c) Uranus is the farthest planet in the solar system. ( )
(d) INSAT is an artificial satellite. ( )
(e) There are nine planets in the solar system. ( )
(f) Constellation Orion can be seen only with a telescope. ( )
Ans (a) Pole Star is a member of the solar system. (F)
Correct: The Sun and the celestial bodies which revolve around it form the solar system. It consists of large number of bodies such as planets, comets, asteroids and meteors.
(b) Mercury is the smallest planet of the solar system. (T)
(c) Uranus is the farthest planet in the solar system. (F)
Correct: Neptune is the farthest planet in the solar system
Q.6 Match items in column A with one or more items in column B:
A B
(i) Inner planets (a) Saturn
(ii) Outer planets (b) Pole Star
(iii) Constellation (c) Great Bear
(iv) Satellite of the Earth (d) Moon
(e) Earth
(f) Orion
(g) Mars
Q.7 In which part of the sky can you find Venus if it is visible as an evening star?
Ans Venus appears in the western sky just after sunset.
Q.8 Name the largest planet of the solar system.
Ans Jupiter
Q.9 What is a constellation? Name any two constellations.
Q.10 Draw sketches to show the relative positions of prominent stars in
(a) Ursa Major and (b) Orion
Q.11 Name two objects other than planets which are members of the solar system.
Q.12 Explain how you can locate the Pole Star with the help of Ursa Major.
Q.13 Do all the stars in the sky move? Explain.
Q.14 Why is the distance between stars expressed in light years? What do you understand by the statement that a star is eight light years away from the Earth?
Q.15 The radius of Jupiter is 11 times the radius of the Earth. Calculate the ratio of the volumes of Jupiter and the Earth. How many Earths can Jupiter accomodate?
Q.16 Boojho made the following sketch (Fig. 17.29) of the solar system. Is the sketch correct? If not, correct it.