Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter : 10- The Comet - 2 with the concerned video

The Comet 2 Summary in English

The International Conference of Astronomers and Space Scientists discussed the ways to prevent the comet from hitting the Earth. Manoj Dutta was also invited. The issue was kept secret from the press and the people.

The experts suggested two ways to meet the challenge. The defensive measure was that the people should live in underground bunkers for safety. But it was not much practicable. The other course was to take offensive action. It meant that the comet should be given a push and made to change its path a little. This could be done by using nuclear explosion in space.

Finally a time table was drawn for the operation. It was code-named “Project Light Brigade’. On October 10, the spacecraft with nuclear material was to be sent. It would meet the comet on November 15 and try to destroy it. In case the experiment failed, the comet would hit the Earth on December 15. If it succeeded, this was the day the comet would pass by at a near but safe distance. Sir John Macpherson told Duttada that he would not buy any present for Christmas till 15 December.

Duttada returned home from England. He was welcomed warmly. But he was surprised to see some ceremony going on under a tent. Indrani Debi explained that they had arranged a peace Yajna. She called him first to get blessing of pundits because he had left the shores of India. Duttada’s brother explained that the Shanti Yajna would pacify the evil spirit behind the comet and save the Earth. Duttada tried in vain to convince them that comets had no relation with the evil spirit or any calamity on the Earth.

Since his return from England, Duttada was in regular touch with Sir John. The letters contained subtle hints about the progress of the project. The threat seemed veiy much real. In mid-October the operation began. Duttada kept constant watch on the comet. But he could not share his anxiety with any one.

On November 18, he received a message from Sir John that the operation was successful, and he was going to buy Christmas presents. On 15th December, the comet came closest to the earth, some 80,000 km. away. Millions saw it but no one knew the story.

Duttada told his wife with satisfaction that the comet had gone without causing any disaster. Indrani Debi gave all credit to the Shanti yajna performed by their grandson, eight-year-old Khoka on his behalf. Duttada now saw the gap between the scientific and the superstitious attitude. Perhaps human society would not grow out of blind beliefs and silly religious rituals.

Comprehension Check

Page No: 83

1:”For a moment James wondered if he had done his sums right.” Why was James doubtful about his sums and calculations?

Ans: James became doubtful about his sums and calculations when he looked up from his window and saw a star-studded night sky. He knew that somewhere amongst those stars was Comet Dutta, which was heading for a collision with the earth. It was hard for him to believe the calamity of the future on such a peaceful night.

2:What did the scientists at the conference say about James’s ‘sums’?

Ans: After rechecking James’ sum for the umpteenth time the scientist arrived at the horrifying conclusion that James was right. There was just a feeble chance of the comet scraping through the earth’s atmosphere. Even then also it would have caused great damage.

3:Immediate action was needed, the scientists decided. Give one example each of ‘defensive’ and ‘offensive’ action mentioned in the text.

Ans: The defensive action discussed by the scientists was to live in underground bunkers. The offensive action was to marginally deflect Comet Dutta from its path by giving it a push. This could be done by placing nuclear payload in a spaceship, sending it to intercept the approaching comet and detonating it by remote control.

4:“I am not buying any Christmas presents till December 15.” What did Sir John mean by that?

Ans: Sir John meant that he was not very sure that they would succeed in their operation. December 15 was the date when if the experiment failed, the comet would hit the earth.

1:What is Duttada expected to do on his return from London?

Ans: Duttada was expected to perform a shanti yajna on his return from London. This yajnawas to be performed to pacify the supposed evil spirit behind the comet.

2:What is his reaction to the proposal?

Ans: Duttada reacted very angrily to the proposal and said that it was all superstition. So he refused to participate in the yajna.

3: (i) What does ‘Project Light Brigade’ refer to?

(ii) What does Sir John say about the Project in his letter to Duttada in October?

Ans: (i) ‘Project Light Brigade’ referred to the plans to deflect the comet’s path by nuclear explosion.

(ii) In his letter to Duttada in October, Sir John said that the charge of the Light Brigade had begun and that they hoped for the best. It meant that the spaceship with the payload had been launched on time.

4:Did Sir John buy Christmas presents on December 15? How did Duttada get to know about it?

Ans: Yes, Sir John bought Christmas presents on December 15. Duttada got to know about it in the letter that Sir John had written to him, saying that he was confident of buying Christmas presents on December 15, indicating that the project was successful.

5:Why, according to Indrani Debi, had the comet not been disastrous? Do you agree with her?

Ans: According to Indrani Debi, the comet had not proved to be disastrous because of theyajna that had been performed in their house. No, the yajna had no impact upon the comet. The project undertaken by the scientists prevented the comet from colliding with the earth, thereby saving earth and all its inhabitants from destruction.

6:Is Duttada’s general outlook

(i) rational?

(ii) moral?

(iii) traditional?

Choose the right word. Say why you think it right.

Ans: Duttada’s general outlook is rational. He is a scientist and he has a scientific outlook. He knows what the Comet are. He knows that there is no connection between the appearance of comets and misfortunes of the earth.