About the Author
Jayant Narlikar is a famous Indian scientist and writer born in 1938 in Kolhapur. He studied stars and the universe at big universities in India and England. Narlikar worked with top space experts and helped discover new things about comets and black holes. He also loves telling science stories in simple words so kids can enjoy them. He started the "Science for Everyone" series and wrote many books mixing facts with fun adventures. "The Comet" stories are his way of making space exciting, like a movie in your mind. He still teaches and writes, showing how science can be friendly and full of wonder.
What’s the Story About?
This is the second part of a thrilling science adventure about a bright comet coming close to Earth. The story happens in modern India, with scientists, a curious boy, and a big meeting full of worry and hope.
In the first part (you might remember), a boy named Manoj finds a new comet in the sky using his small telescope. He tells his uncle, Sir John, a famous space expert. Everyone gets excited, but then calculations show the comet might crash into Earth and cause huge damage—like fire, floods, and darkness everywhere. People panic!
Now in Part II, the danger feels real. Scientists from all over the world meet at a secret conference in Delhi. Manoj and his friend Nisha sneak in to listen. The big question: How to stop the comet? Some say blow it up with bombs. Others fear that will make tiny pieces rain down and still hurt us. Days pass, and the comet grows bigger in the sky, like a glowing ball with a long tail.
Suddenly, good news arrives! The comet quietly changes path on its own. It swings around the Sun and flies safely away without touching Earth. Cheers fill the room! Manoj learns it was the Sun’s pull that gently pushed the comet aside, like a ball rolling around a curve. No bombs needed—nature fixed it.
The story ends with everyone relieved and wiser. Manoj dreams of becoming a scientist, and we see how space is full of surprises. It’s like waiting for a storm that suddenly turns into a rainbow—scary at first, but teaching us to stay calm and trust science.
(Think of it as a cricket match where the other team looks unbeatable, but a smart twist saves the day without a single run!)
Who’s Who in the Story
- Manoj (Duttada): A smart schoolboy who loves stars and first spots the comet. He’s brave, curious, and follows the whole adventure with wide eyes.
- Sir John Macpherson: Manoj’s kind uncle, a top space scientist from England. He leads the big meeting and explains hard things in simple words.
- Nisha: Manoj’s clever friend who sneaks into the conference with him. She asks fun questions and shares the excitement.
- Professor Gupta: An Indian scientist at the meeting, worried but hopeful. He helps plan what to do if the comet hits.
- World Scientists: Many experts from different countries, talking fast and using charts. They show how teamwork saves the day.
- The Comet (Comet Dutta): Named after Manoj! It’s a huge icy rock with a shiny tail, racing through space like a fiery arrow.
Themes and Moral
Main Themes
- Science and Teamwork: Big problems need many minds working together. The conference shows how sharing ideas beats danger.
- Don’t Panic, Think: Fear makes us rush, but calm thinking and facts win. The comet changes path naturally—no need for risky plans.
- Wonders of Space: Comets, stars, and the Sun are amazing. A small telescope can open a huge universe full of surprises.
- Hope Over Fear: Even when things look bad, nature and knowledge can bring happy endings.
Moral
The simple lesson is: Face scary news with cool heads and open minds—science and patience turn danger into wonder. Like Manoj, stay curious, ask questions, and believe that answers are out there in the stars.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are key words and phrases from the story, explained like a friend sharing snacks. Use them in your chat to sound like a space expert!
- Comet: A big ball of ice and dust that glows with a long tail when near the Sun. (Example: The comet lit up the night like a moving star.)
- Orbit: The curved path an object takes around a bigger one, like Earth around the Sun. (Example: The moon follows a smooth orbit every night.)
- Collision: When two things crash into each other hard. (Example: The cars had a small collision at the red light.)
- Conference: A big meeting where people talk and plan together. (Example: Teachers held a conference to pick the best sports day games.)
- Deflect: To gently push something off its path, like nudging a ball aside. (Example: The goalkeeper deflected the shot with his hands.)
- Telescope: A long tube with lenses to see far stars clearly. (Example: Manoj aimed his telescope at the twinkling sky.)
- Gravitational pull: The invisible force that pulls objects closer, like the Sun tugging the comet. (Example: The magnet’s pull made the pins stick fast.)
- "Close shave": A narrow escape from danger, just missing trouble. (Example: Missing the school bus by a second was a close shave!)
- "Tail of the comet": The bright, dusty trail that streams behind it, like smoke from a rocket. (Example: The comet’s tail sparkled for miles across the dark.)
- "Relief swept the room": Suddenly everyone felt happy and safe, like a heavy load lifted. (Example: When rain stopped the match, relief swept the tired players.)
Read these aloud, draw a comet, and share facts—space will feel like your playground!