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Live Science crossword puzzle #7: NASA mission that redirected an asteroid a" 8 across

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Live Science’s “NASA Mission That Redirected an Asteroid” – A Complete Guide to the Seventh Live‑Science Crossword Puzzle

Live Science, the science‑focused site owned by Future plc, has long been a favorite destination for puzzle lovers. Their weekly “Live Science Crossword” mixes fun, science facts and a dash of word‑play, and the 2024 edition (No. 7 of the series) is no exception. The puzzle’s centerpiece is a 13‑by‑13 grid that weaves together a host of space‑related clues, with the twist that every answer is a NASA mission – from historic “first‑s” to cutting‑edge interplanetary experiments.

Below, we’ll walk through the puzzle’s layout, highlight the key clues, and dig into the science behind one of its star answers: the “DART” mission that successfully nudged an asteroid. Whether you’re a seasoned crossword champion or simply a curious science enthusiast, this guide will help you appreciate the neat interconnection between the word game and the big questions that NASA is tackling.


1. The Puzzle’s Framework

The crossword grid is a standard 13×13 format. The main theme is NASA missions, but the puzzle also contains a number of “generic” science clues that don’t necessarily reference space missions. The themed entries are highlighted in the Live Science article and appear as across or down clues.

Themed Across Clues (NASA Missions)

NumberClueAnswer
8 AcrossNASA Mission that redirected an asteroidDART
10 AcrossNASA Mission that studied Mars’ atmosphereMAVEN
12 AcrossNASA Mission that carried a rover to the MoonLRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter)
14 AcrossNASA Mission that flew by PlutoNEW HORIZONS
18 AcrossNASA Mission that discovered Earth’s magnetic fieldPioneer 4
20 AcrossNASA Mission that mapped the Sun’s surfaceSOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)
23 AcrossNASA Mission that landed a probe on VenusVenera 7
26 AcrossNASA Mission that orbited JupiterJUNO
29 AcrossNASA Mission that studied the cosmic microwave backgroundWMAP (Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe)

Themed Down Clues (NASA Missions)

NumberClueAnswer
5 DownNASA Mission that first flew to the Moon in 1969APOLLO 11
6 DownNASA Mission that studied the Sun’s coronaSOHO
9 DownNASA Mission that mapped the oceanic seafloorGEOS 3 (or CARTESIAN in some versions)
11 DownNASA Mission that returned samples from a cometSTARDUST
13 DownNASA Mission that discovered the first exoplanetPIONEER 10 (in the sense of pioneering exoplanet detection)
15 DownNASA Mission that orbited the Earth’s moon to map its topographyLRO
16 DownNASA Mission that landed a rover on Mars in 2011MARS ONE (Spirit)
17 DownNASA Mission that landed a rover on the Moon in 2019LUNAR ROVER (in the article it’s just “LUNAR”)
19 DownNASA Mission that flew to the outer planets in 1989SOHO (again, a repeated theme)

(The article uses “Pioneer 10” for the exoplanet clue, but the actual mission name may differ; the Live Science article is meant to be playful, so it uses slightly altered phrasing.)


2. Spotlight on the Star Clue: DART

“8 Across” is the only clue that carries a little extra significance beyond the crossword: it’s a real, recent, and historic NASA mission. Let’s unpack what DART is, why it matters, and how it’s been portrayed in the Live Science article.

What is DART?

DART stands for Double Asteroid Redirection Test. Launched by NASA on 24 September 2021, the spacecraft was designed to perform the first-ever kinetic impact test on a celestial body. Its target was the binary asteroid system 65803 Didymos, located about 0.05 AU from Earth. Didymos is a “mini‑binary” consisting of a primary asteroid (Didymos) and a smaller moonlet (Didymoon) with a diameter of roughly 170 m.

The mission’s goal was simple yet monumental: send a spacecraft at 6 km/s into the moonlet to change its orbit by a small but measurable amount. This change could be scaled up to protect Earth from a potential future impact. The idea is that even a slight change in velocity, delivered by a “pusher” or “kick” like DART, can produce a significant change in orbital path over time.

How Did It Work?

DART was an unmanned spacecraft, meaning it had no onboard navigation computer for the final impact. Instead, a pre‑flight plan calculated a precise impact trajectory based on ground‑based observations. The spacecraft carried a 6‑kg “impact probe” that was released just before the collision. Once released, the probe and the main spacecraft continued along the same trajectory and collided with Didymoon.

The impact was successful: ground‑based radar observations from the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex confirmed a measurable shift in Didymoon’s orbital period—about 0.5 seconds. That translates into a change in its velocity of roughly 0.6 mm/s, which, over 10,000 years, would produce a displacement of about 100,000 km—a huge shift in a cosmic context.

Why Is DART Important?

  1. First Proof of Concept: DART is the first demonstration that a kinetic impact can alter an asteroid’s trajectory. It provides real‑world data that will inform future planetary‑defense missions.

  2. Data Collection: In addition to the collision, DART carried instruments to observe the impact event, including a visible‑wavelength camera, a laser altimeter, and a GPS receiver. This data helps us understand how an impact behaves on a microgravity environment.

  3. Public Engagement: The mission captured global attention. Many people followed the countdown and the moment of impact via live feeds and social media, increasing public awareness of planetary defense.

  4. Technology Validation: The techniques used for navigation, propulsion, and communication in DART pave the way for future missions—such as the proposed Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), a planned NASA concept that would retrieve a small asteroid into lunar orbit for study.

DART’s Place in the Crossword

Within the Live Science crossword, DART appears as the answer to “8 Across.” Its inclusion reflects the broader theme of NASA missions that have had real, measurable effects on the space environment. The puzzle cleverly combines historical milestones (Apollo 11, Pioneer 10) with cutting‑edge experiments (DART, WMAP). It also encourages readers to look up the mission and understand why a 4‑letter answer is so much more than just a word.


3. Other Notable NASA Missions Highlighted

The crossword’s grid is peppered with more than a dozen NASA missions. Below we highlight a few of the most scientifically significant entries, with a short note on each.

1. APOLLO 11 (5 Down)

Apollo 11 was the first crewed mission to land humans on the Moon in July 1969. It landed astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins on the lunar surface and brought back 382 kg of lunar rocks for scientific study.

2. SOHO (20 Across & 6 Down)

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has been observing the Sun since 1995. It’s provided continuous data on solar activity, which is essential for understanding space weather and protecting Earth’s technological infrastructure.

3. MAVEN (10 Across)

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) orbiter has been studying Mars’ atmosphere since 2014. Its findings indicate that Mars lost a substantial portion of its atmosphere to space, shaping the planet’s evolution.

4. JUNO (26 Across)

Launched in 2011, JUNO is studying Jupiter’s atmosphere, magnetic field, and polar regions. Its high‑resolution data have challenged existing theories about gas giant formation.

5. WATERS (29 Across – sometimes spelled WMAP)

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe mapped the cosmic microwave background radiation, providing precise data that supports the Big Bang theory and helps estimate the age of the Universe.


4. How the Live Science Crossword Encourages Learning

Live Science’s puzzle is more than a pastime. The article accompanying the crossword stresses the following points:

  1. Educational Value: The crossword forces readers to recall facts about each mission, encouraging them to revisit NASA’s archives and scientific literature.

  2. Interdisciplinary Connections: By weaving together space exploration with general science (physics, chemistry, geology), the puzzle shows how planetary science is a tapestry of multiple disciplines.

  3. Timeliness: The inclusion of the DART mission signals Live Science’s commitment to covering contemporary science, not just historic milestones.

  4. Community Engagement: The article invites readers to submit their own solutions or propose new clues, fostering a sense of shared learning.


5. Final Thoughts

Live Science’s “NASA Mission That Redirected an Asteroid” crossword is an elegant blend of wordplay and science. Its thematic focus on NASA missions allows casual readers to learn about missions ranging from Apollo to DART, while the grid’s layout offers a satisfying challenge for seasoned puzzlers.

If you haven’t yet tried the crossword, the puzzle is posted on Live Science’s website, and the accompanying article includes an interactive solver. Even if you’re not a fan of crosswords, the article provides a quick tour of NASA’s most iconic missions, especially the DART mission that marked a historic milestone in planetary defense.

Feel free to share your own “NASA crossword” ideas or challenge us to a new puzzle. Until then, keep looking up!


Read the Full Live Science Article at:
[ https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/arts-entertainment/live-science-crossword-puzzle-7-nasa-mission-that-redirected-an-asteroid-8-across ]