Key topics include:
The solar system and its planets.
The Moon as Earth’s satellite.
Stars and constellations (like Orion and Big Dipper).
The Pole Star and Venus (Morning/Evening Star).
Natural phenomena like comets and meteors.
NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 12 Beyond Earth help students explore the mysteries of space in an easy and interesting way.
This chapter introduces important concepts like planets, stars, satellites, and constellations.
The solutions include clear answers to textbook questions, riddles, and matching exercises that make learning fun and engaging. The solutions are based on the latest Class 6 Science syllabus and exam guidelines, making them useful for revision, homework, and strengthening the basics of material science.
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what lies beyond our Earth? Chapter 12 – Beyond Earth takes you on an exciting journey into space. In this chapter, students learn about the solar system, different planets, the Moon (Earth's natural satellite), artificial satellites, stars, and constellations.
It explains how Earth is a part of a vast universe filled with fascinating celestial bodies. The chapter also introduces interesting terms like the "Red Planet" (Mars), "Evening Star" (Venus), and famous constellations like Orion. It encourages young learners to be curious about space and understand the basic features of the universe.
Check below for complete and accurate solutions to all the questions from Chapter 12 Class 6. These answers are created to help you revise quickly and prepare confidently for your class tests and school exams.
Activity 12.1: Let us draw Fig. 12.2 shows bright stars in one part of the night sky.
Look at it carefully and try to imagine a pattern formed by a group of stars. Draw lines to connect the stars and make the pattern. Think of an animal or an object that is similar to the pattern drawn by you. Write its name near your pattern.
Fig. 12.2: A part of the night sky Repeat the above steps and make some more patterns. Now think of an interesting story about your patterns.
Answer:
Steps to Follow:
Observe the star pattern carefully in Fig. 12.2.
Use your imagination to connect the stars with lines and form a shape.
Think of what that shape looks like—maybe an animal, a bird, a person, or an object.
Draw the pattern and write the name of what it looks like near it.
Repeat the steps and create more patterns using different star groups.
Now, write a short and fun story based on the patterns you created.
Example 1:
Connected Pattern Looks Like: A Fish
Name of the Pattern: “Starfish Constellation”
Story:
Long ago, in the deep night sky, a magical fish swam among the stars. It guided sailors who were lost at sea by shining brightly. Every time someone made a wish to find their way home, the starfish twinkled and showed the path.
Example 2:
Conected Pattern Looks Like: A Rocket
Name of the Pattern: “Rocket Star”
Story:
A curious little rocket wanted to reach the Moon. Every night, it zoomed across the sky, leaving behind a sparkling trail. The stars loved watching the rocket and made a pattern to remember its journey forever.
Activity 12.2: Let us try to locate
Look for the Big Dipper during summer time in the early part of the night, say, around 9 p.m. View the sky above the horizon towards the northern part of the sky and identify the Big Dipper.
Once you identify the Big Dipper, try to locate the Pole Star. Look at the two stars present at the end of the Big Dipper’s cup and imagine a straight line passing through these towards the north.
At about five times the distance between these two stars, the imaginary line will lead to another star which is not very bright. This star is the Pole Star.
Answer:
This activity helps you learn how to spot famous stars and constellations in the night sky.
What to Do:
Go outside during summer at around 9 p.m. when the sky is dark.
Look towards the northern part of the sky, just above the horizon.
Try to find a group of stars that looks like a big spoon or question mark – this is called the Big Dipper (part of the constellation Ursa Major).
How to Find the Pole Star:
Look at the two stars at the end of the cup of the Big Dipper.
Imagine a straight line passing through these two stars and going upwards (towards the north).
Now, measure that same distance about five times on the line.
You will see a not-so-bright star on that line – this is the Pole Star (also called Dhruva Tara).
Other Stars to Spot:
Try finding the Orion constellation – it looks like a hunter with a belt of three stars.
Below Orion, you may find a very bright star – this is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
Why This Is Fun:
Looking at constellations and stars helps us understand the sky and directions. People in ancient times used the Pole Star to find directions while traveling!
Activity 12.3: Let us try to identify
In India, Orion is best viewed during the months of December to April after sunset. So, look for it during that period.
Answer:
This activity helps you identify one of the most famous constellations in the night sky — Orion.
Steps to Follow:
Best Time to See Orion in India:
Look for Orion after sunset between the months of December to April. This is when Orion is clearly visible in the sky
Where to Look:
Go outside in the evening and look towards the south-eastern sky after sunset.
What to Look For:
Orion looks like a hunter with a belt.
You will see three bright stars in a straight line — this is called Orion’s Belt.
Around the belt, you will see four bright stars forming a rectangle.
Fun Fact:
The star Betelgeuse (red in color) and Rigel (blue-white) are two of the brightest stars in Orion.
Why It’s Special:
Orion is one of the easiest constellations to identify. Ancient people imagined it as a hunter in the sky, and many stories are linked to it in different culture
Activity 12.4: Let us try to identify
For most of the year, Venus can be located either at dawn or at dusk.
When you are viewing at dawn, look for it near the Eastern direction before sunrise.
When you are viewing at dusk, look for it near the Western direction after sunset.
Answer:
This activity helps you spot Venus, which is one of the brightest objects in the night sky and is often called the "Morning Star" or "Evening Star."
Steps to Spot Venus:
Venus is visible for most of the year, either in the early morning or in the evening.
To see Venus at dawn (early morning):
Wake up before sunrise.
Look in the Eastern sky.
You’ll see a very bright star-like object – that’s Venus!
To see Venus at dusk (evening):
Go outside just after sunset.
Look towards the Western sky.
The brightest object you see in that direction is Venus.
Fun Fact:
Venus is called the Evening Star when it appears after sunset and the Morning Star when it appears before sunrise — but it’s actually a planet, not a star.
Let us enhance our learning
Question 1. Match the column:
Answer:
Column I |
Column II |
Satellite of Earth |
(d) Moon |
Red planet |
(c) Mars |
Constellation |
(a) Orion |
Planet which is commonly called an evening star |
(b) Venus |
Question 2.
(i) Solve the following riddle:
My first alphabet is the MAN but not in CAN.
My second alphabet is in ACE also in FAN.
My third alphabet is the RAT and not in CAT.
My fourth alphabet is in SUN but not in FUN.
Answer:
MARS
(ii) Make two similar riddles by your self.
Answer:
(a) My first alphabet is in VAN but not in PAN
My second alphabet is in EARTH and also in HEAVEN
My third alphabet is in ONE and not in TWO
My fourth alphabet is in SUN and also in FUN
My last alphabet is in STAR but not in RADAR
I am a planet that moves around the Sun.
Answer: VENUS
(b) My first alphabet is in EAT but not in BAT
My second alphabet is in FAT and also in SAT
My third alphabet is in RAT and not in MAT
My fourth alphabet is in TEN and also in NET
My fifth alphabet is in HAT but not in PAT.
I am a planet that moves round the Sun.
Answer: EARTH
Question 3.
Which of the following is not a member of our solar system?
(i) Sirius
(ii) Comets
(iii) Asteroids
(iv) Pluto
Answer:
(i) Sirius
Question 4.
Which of the following is not a planet of the Sun?
(i) Jupiter
(ii) Pluto
(iii) Neptune
(iv) Saturn
Answer:
(ii) Pluto
Question 5.
Which is the brighter star, the Pole star or sirius?
Answer:
Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky.
Question 6.
An artist’s representation of the solar system is given in the figure. Is the order of the planets correct? If not, write the correct order in the boxes in the figure.
Answer:
The correct sequence is as follows: 1,3,2,4,5,7,6,8
Question 7.
You can see stars fading away at dawn and appearing at dusk. During the day we do not see the stars. Explain why.
Answer:
During the daytime, the Sun shines very brightly. Its light is so strong that it scatters in the Earth's atmosphere, especially the blue part of the sunlight.
This scattered light fills the sky and makes it appear blue. Because of this bright sunlight, the faint light of the stars gets hidden, and we cannot see them during the day. But at dusk and dawn, when the Sun's light is weak, the stars become visible again.
Question 11.
Think about the night sky and write a poem or a story on it.
Answer:
A Comet in the Night Sky
Last night I saw a comet fly,
Glowing bright in the dark blue sky.
I ran to Grandma full of delight,
To tell her about the magical sight.
She said, “It brings disaster near,
A flood, a war, or something to fear!”
But I replied with a cheerful grin,
“That’s just a myth from deep within.”
My teacher told us in school today,
Comets don’t harm us in any way.
They are part of space’s grand show,
With tails that sparkle and gently glow.
So don’t be scared, dear Grandma dear,
Science makes everything crystal clear!
Let’s enjoy the sky and all we see,
The stars, the Moon, and the galaxy!
Students can download the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 12 Beyond Earth in PDF format from the link provided below.
These solutions are designed to help students explore and understand fascinating concepts related to the solar system, planets, stars, satellites, and constellations. All answers include clear explanations, in-text activity support, and higher-order thinking responses.
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All questions are answered in a simple and clear language, helping students understand the structure of our solar system, movement of planets, and the role of the Moon and stars.
The solutions include responses to all in-text activities (like locating the Pole Star, identifying constellations, and solving astronomy riddles), reflection questions, map-based star patterns, and end-of-chapter assessments.
Students will relate scientific ideas to real-life experiences—such as observing the night sky, identifying Venus as the Morning or Evening Star, and drawing patterns of stars like Orion and Big Dipper.
This chapter builds scientific curiosity, enhances observation skills, and encourages logical thinking about the universe and Earth’s place in it.