Beyond Earth

Introduction: The Night Sky in Nubra

The chapter begins by introducing Nubra, a picturesque and serene region located in Ladakh, India. This region is characterized by majestic mountain peaks and vast glaciers. Two eleven-year-old twins, Yangdol and Dorjay, live in one of the villages in Nubra. They have a deep love and appreciation for their natural surroundings, especially the night sky. The night sky in Nubra is exceptionally clear and beautiful because the weather is almost always cloudless, and there is minimal air and light pollution. This allows the stars to shine brightly and be visible in great numbers. Night after night, Yangdol and Dorjay observe the stars and feel a profound sense of awe and wonder at the vastness and beauty of the universe. This introduction sets the stage for exploring the stars, constellations, and other celestial objects that can be seen in the night sky, particularly from dark, pollution-free locations like Nubra.

• Nubra is a region in Ladakh known for clear skies and natural beauty.
• Yangdol and Dorjay are twins who enjoy observing the night sky.
• The night sky in Nubra is clear due to low cloud cover and minimal pollution.
• Thousands of stars are visible, inspiring awe and curiosity.
• The setting introduces the theme of exploring stars and celestial patterns.
• 📌 Light pollution: Excessive artificial light that obscures the night sky.
• 📌 Night sky: The appearance of the sky at night, showing stars and celestial objects.

Activity 12.1: Let us draw

This activity encourages students to engage directly with the night sky by observing a part of it and creating their own star patterns. Fig. 12.2 shows bright stars in a section of the night sky. Students are asked to look carefully at the stars and imagine patterns formed by groups of stars. They are then instructed to draw lines connecting these stars to form shapes or patterns. After drawing, students think of an animal or object that resembles their pattern and write its name near it. They are encouraged to repeat this process to create multiple patterns and to invent interesting stories about these patterns. Comparing their patterns and stories with those of their classmates reveals that star patterns and their interpretations vary widely, making the activity fun and creative. This exercise introduces the concept of constellations as patterns humans imagine among stars and highlights the cultural and imaginative aspects of star gazing.

• Students observe a part of the night sky and identify bright stars.
• They draw lines to connect stars forming patterns.
• They associate patterns with animals or objects and name them.
• Students create stories about their star patterns.
• Comparing patterns shows diversity in imagination and interpretation.
• 📌 Star pattern: Imaginary shapes formed by connecting stars.
• 📌 Constellation: A recognized pattern or region of stars in the sky.