CBSE Class 8 It So Happened: The Comet - I NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'The Comet - I' from the CBSE Class 8 'It So Happened' textbook, delves into the fascinating world of comets and astronomical discovery. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to questions about Duttada's passion for astronomy, his secret ambition to discover a comet, and the differences between planets and comets. It explores the personal impact of such a discovery, including unwanted publicity and superstition. The solutions also touch upon a critical scientific scenario involving a comet's potential collision with Earth, highlighting the importance of responsible scientific communication and collaborative problem-solving. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the narrative, understand the scientific concepts presented, and prepare effectively for their examinations by clarifying key plot points and thematic elements.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	It So Happened
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	9. The Comet - I

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'The Comet - I', focuses on the personal journey of an amateur astronomer, Duttada, and his discovery of a comet. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions about Duttada's motivations, his wife's reactions, and the scientific implications of his discovery, including a potential Earth collision. The solutions explain the narrative's progression, the characters' perspectives, and the scientific concepts related to comets and their orbits, offering a clear understanding of the chapter's events and themes.

Learning outcomes

Understand the personal motivations and challenges of an amateur astronomer.
Differentiate between planets and comets based on their orbital characteristics.
Analyze the societal and personal impact of a significant scientific discovery.
Explain the concept of a comet's potential collision with Earth.
Appreciate the importance of responsible scientific reporting and collaboration.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Amateur astronomy
Comet discovery
Duttada's ambition
Planets vs. Comets
Superstition in science
Scientific discovery's impact
Potential Earth impact
Responsible scientific communication
Character motivations
Narrative comprehension

Important topics

Duttada's secret ambition and methods
The difference between planets and comets
Consequences of scientific discovery (personal and public)
The potential Earth collision scenario
Ethical considerations in scientific reporting

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada's "hobnobbing" with Dibya?

Solution: Indrani Debi disliked Duttada's close association with his telescope, named Dibya, because she felt it was consuming his attention much like a rival woman might. She perceived his deep engagement with the telescope as a form of 'hobnobbing' that took him away from her and their shared life, making her feel neglected.

Comprehension Check - Q2

She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling?

Solution: Although Indrani Debi was complaining about Duttada's forgetfulness, she was also smiling because she found his absent-mindedness endearing and somewhat amusing. She knew he often overlooked practical necessities, like remembering to wear a warm sweater even when it was cold, despite his doctor's advice, highlighting a gentle, almost childlike aspect of his personality that she cherished.

Comprehension Check - Q3

(i) What was Duttada's secret ambition? (ii) What did he do to achieve it?

Solution:

Duttada's secret ambition was to achieve fame by discovering a new comet. He dreamed of making a significant contribution to astronomy.
To achieve his ambition, Duttada diligently used his eight-inch telescope every night. Despite knowing his equipment was small compared to professional astronomers' tools and his chances were slim, he remained optimistic and persistent, gazing at the stars with the hope of finding a new comet.

Comprehension Check - Q4

What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?

Solution: The story explains that both planets and comets orbit the Sun. However, planets generally follow more regular paths. Comets, on the other hand, travel in highly eccentric, elongated orbits. A comet becomes visible and develops a brilliant tail when it approaches the Sun, after which it recedes into the darkness of space for extended periods, sometimes years or even centuries.

Comprehension Check - Q5

Why was Duttada hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon?

Solution: Duttada was hopeful because he reasoned that professional astronomers, engrossed in their pre-planned research on faint stars and distant galaxies, might overlook a less conspicuous object like a comet. He believed that amateurs, who often observed more broadly and without such rigid schedules, had a better chance of spotting new comets that the professionals might miss.

Comprehension Check - Q6

Why does Duttada say — "I almost wish I had not discovered this comet."?

Solution: Duttada expressed this sentiment because the discovery brought him a great deal of unwelcome publicity. He found himself obligated to attend numerous receptions and social functions, which he disliked as an introvert. The fame and attention were burdensome and detracted from the quiet, personal joy he found in astronomy.

Comprehension Check - Q7

Why is his wife unhappy about the discovery?

Solution: Duttada's wife was unhappy about the comet's discovery because she held a strong superstitious belief that comets were harbingers of ill-luck. She felt that associating a good man like Duttada with such an omen was unfortunate and wished he hadn't made the discovery.

Comprehension Check - Q8

How did Sir John get hold of James' original manuscript?

Solution: James' original manuscript was intended for publication in the scientific journal 'Nature'. Sir John was able to obtain a copy of this manuscript because the editor of 'Nature' was his friend, which facilitated his access to the important scientific findings.

Comprehension Check - Q9

What is the important point the paper makes?

Solution: The crucial and alarming point made in James' paper was the prediction that the newly discovered comet, Comet Dutta, was on a trajectory that would lead to a collision with the Earth.

Comprehension Check - Q10

Why does Sir John say that James' paper should not be published?

Solution: Sir John advocated against the immediate, unmitigated publication of James' paper because he feared the consequences of revealing the news of an inevitable collision. He believed that such information, if widely known, would cause widespread panic among the global population.

Comprehension Check - Q11

What do the two men finally decide to do?

Solution: Sir John and James reached a consensus on a two-part plan. Firstly, they decided to modify the paper to 'tone down' the certainty of the collision, incorporating numerous conditional phrases like 'ifs' and 'buts' to make the conclusion appear less definite. Secondly, they resolved to arrange an urgent meeting of international experts to collectively brainstorm and develop potential countermeasures against the impending threat.

Common mistakes

Confusing the personal feelings of characters with scientific facts.
Underestimating the significance of an amateur astronomer's contribution.
Misinterpreting the reasons behind the characters' reactions to the comet discovery.
Failing to grasp the implications of a potential Earth-bound comet.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter focusing on Duttada's passion and his wife's superstitions.
Pay close attention to the descriptions differentiating comets from planets.
Understand the sequence of events leading to the potential collision news.
Discuss the ethical considerations of publishing alarming scientific findings.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Indrani Debi's primary concern regarding Duttada's telescope, 'Dibya'?

Q2. Why did Duttada smile despite complaining about his wife's forgetfulness?

Q3. What was Duttada's secret ambition in life?

Q4. According to the story, what distinguishes a comet's orbit from a planet's?

Q5. Why did Duttada believe amateurs had a better chance of discovering comets than professionals?

Q6. What negative consequence of his discovery did Duttada lament?

Q7. Why was Duttada's wife unhappy about the comet discovery?

Q8. What critical information did James' paper reveal about Comet Dutta?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Comet - I' chapter?

The main theme revolves around an amateur astronomer's passion, the personal and societal impact of a significant discovery like a comet, and the critical responsibility that comes with scientific knowledge, especially concerning potential threats to Earth.

Who is Duttada and what is his secret ambition?

Duttada is an amateur astronomer who secretly aspired to discover a new comet. He dedicated his nights to observing the sky with his telescope to achieve this goal.

How does the chapter differentiate between a planet and a comet?

The chapter explains that while both orbit the Sun, comets have highly eccentric orbits and possess a tail that shines when near the Sun, unlike planets.

Why did Duttada's wife dislike the comet discovery?

Duttada's wife was unhappy because she held a superstitious belief that comets bring ill-luck and did not want her husband associated with such an omen.

What alarming scientific information is revealed in the chapter?

A paper reveals that the discovered comet, Comet Dutta, is on a collision course with Earth, posing a potential threat.

What decision do Sir John and James make regarding the comet's collision?

They decide to publish the paper with cautious wording ('ifs' and 'buts') to avoid panic and plan to convene experts to devise countermeasures.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the chapter's plot, characters, scientific concepts, and the implications of the comet discovery for effective revision and exam preparation.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.