Mission Moon: Exploring The Moon With Chandrayaan 1
What’s inside...
The book 'Mission Moon: Exploring The Moon With Chandrayaan 1,' by S K Das, details India's pioneering journey into lunar exploration with Chandrayaan-1. It covers the conception, planning, and execution by ISRO, highlighting technological innovations, challenges, and scientific objectives such as mapping the lunar surface and searching for water ice. The author discusses significant findings, including the discovery of water molecules on the moon, and the impact on future exploration. Through interviews, anecdotes, and detailed spacecraft descriptions, Das offers a comprehensive account of this landmark mission. In a separate story set in 1568, Ash and Tara, twin siblings, uncover a plot to steal Emperor Akbar's emerald dagger in 'Ash and Tara: Adventures in Akbar's Court.' Amidst the backdrop of Agra Fort and medieval Agra, they face devious villains and navigate twists and turns in a breathless adventure, aiming to thwart the theft and avoid being framed.
Age
7-14
Length
107 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would feel like to travel to the moon like Chandrayaan 1?
Why do you think exploring the moon is important for scientists and astronauts?
If you could send a message to the moon, what would you like to say?
What did you learn about how a spacecraft works from reading this book?
How would you imagine a day on the moon would be different from a day on Earth?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their ideas and feelings about space exploration, listening carefully to their thoughts and showing enthusiasm for their curiosity.
Use the illustrations in the book to engage younger readers, pointing out details that help explain the science behind lunar missions.
Connect the story to real-life space missions in the news, on TV, or in other children's books to make the themes more relatable and exciting.
For older children, delve deeper into some technical aspects of space travel mentioned in the book, and relate them to science subjects they learn in school.
After reading, consider watching a documentary or short video about the moon or space travel to enhance visual understanding and continue the conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance and Determination
Explanation: The narrative follows the journey of India's Chandrayaan 1 mission to the moon, showcasing the challenges and setbacks faced by the team.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persisting through difficulties to achieve goals, which can be applied in tackling school projects or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The book highlights how scientists and engineers from different parts of the world collaborated to make the mission successful.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of working together, sharing ideas, and supporting each other, which is applicable in group activities at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The story encourages exploring and learning about new and unfamiliar concepts, as depicted by the scientific exploration of the moon.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to ask questions and seek out knowledge in all areas of life, fostering a lifelong love for learning.
Example Lesson: Innovation and Creativity
Explanation: The mission's success was driven by innovative solutions to complex problems, highlighting the role of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to think outside the box and use their imagination to overcome obstacles, which can be useful in creative subjects or when solving personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature and the Universe
Explanation: The book provides insights about the moon’s environment, stressing the importance of respecting and preserving celestial bodies.
Real-World Application: This fosters a sense of responsibility towards our environment and can encourage participation in sustainability and conservation efforts.