Students can also check English Summary to revise with them during exam preparation.
The Comet 1 Summary
The Comet Introduction
The story is about the revelation of a comet named after its discovery by Manoj Dutta of Calcutta. He was an amateur scientist. The revelation raised the brows of scientists and religious leaders. As per their calculations, the comet was about to collide with the earth. During discussions, they tried to find ways to avoid the collision. They had grim faces trying to control damage.
The Comet 1 Summary of the Lesson
Dutta went upstairs to look out for new developments in the sky. It was December and cool breeze from the window disturbed the sleep of Indrani Debi. She accused Dibya for it was taking too much of attention.
She called Dibya’ as a wretched one, which was nothing but a telescope. She described the overindulgence of Duttada who avoided his domestic responsibilities.
He was also obsessed with his work that he overlooked his health. Smiling Indrani went to the roof because for her the telescope was nothing but a woman that ensnared her husband. Dutta named his telescope as Dibya Chakshu which means Divine Eye.
He was so engrossed in the work that he spent most of his time in observing through the telescope. He used the amount he got after retirement. Dutta wanted a secret ambition to discover a new comet.
Like planets, comets also orbit around the sun but their orbits are highly eccentric. So once in a while, a comet comes close to the Sun; it longish tail lit brilliantly by the sunlight. Then it recedes into the darkness not to be seen again for years, or for centuries.
Dutta was optimistic of his discovery because others might ignore it. Although he knew that professional astronomers have big and more efficient telescopes. Then Duttada observed a ‘faint stranger’ in the sky.
He reexamined the charts with him, checked his Dibya for any smudges on the optics, did some calculations on his pocket calculator in torchlight though he was – minded about daily chores, yet was meticulous in his observations. After reevaluating everything he was assured of his discovery.
The news of comet discovery by Manoj Dutta was published in Ananda Bazar Patrika when IIA, Bangalore was informed about the discovery. The achievement was considered to be a big and the comet was named after its discoverer.
Dutta became famous and he was invited to various receptions and functions. Once frustrated he wished that it would have been better if he had not discovered the comet.
Indrani too supported his viewpoint yet she had a different perspective. She thought that comet brings ill-luck and she wished that a good man like him shouldn’t have discovered the comet. Dutta laughed at her superstition.
He said that comets have been scientifically studied and they are not at all harmful.
Dr. James Forsyth was called by John Macpherson, Defense Science Advisor. He was given his note by Provost. He was welcomed by Johnson, the security officer at a white hall who took him ninety minutes to reach the chambers of Sir John Macpherson.
Sir John warmly greeted him and stated the reason of urgent calling. He handed a typescript of paper that Dr. James had sent for publishing in ‘Nature’.
That shocked him. He was taken aback at the availability of this content is his hand. Sir James replied that he got that from Taylor the editor of‘Nature’. Sir James was extremely bothered about the conclusion of the paper.
The impact of the collision of the comet would be catastrophic. As James had calculated and his speculation was based on the analysis. It would take months to collide with the earth.
Sir John wanted to know the chance to avoid the collision. He wanted to call an urgent meeting of experts from all over the world. He wanted to stop spreading of the news as it might create havoc in the world.
Sir James argued that the truth would be revealed even if he was stopped. As some other researchers might publish the news. Sir John suggested to tone down the news and said that he would also try to exercise a similar restraint.
Till the comet passed safely. James did not believe in his efforts to organize an important secret conference of international experts. Sir John was sure and shared his planning’s with them.