Across
- 5. A vehicle or device designed for travel or exploration in outer space, equipped with propulsion systems, life support systems, communication systems, scientific instruments, and other technology for conducting missions, experiments, or observations beyond Earth's atmosphere.
- 7. A solid fragment of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives its passage through Earth's atmosphere and impacts the surface of the planet, forming a crater and leaving behind physical evidence of extraterrestrial origin. Meteorites are studied to learn about the composition and history of the solar system.
- 8. The vast expanse of space that contains all matter, energy, galaxies, stars, planets, moons, and celestial objects, including the Earth and everything within it. The universe is infinite and constantly expanding according to the Big Bang theory.
- 11. A small, rocky or metallic celestial body that orbits the Sun in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter or in other regions of the solar system. Asteroids range in size from meters to hundreds of kilometers and can impact planets or moons.
- 12. Hole A region of space where gravitational forces are so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape its pull, resulting from the collapse of a massive star at the end of its life cycle or the merging of two neutron stars. Black holes have immense gravitational fields and distort spacetime.
- 13. A bright streak of light or visible trail produced when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to friction with the air, creating a temporary phenomenon known as a shooting star or falling star. Meteors are often associated with meteor showers or fireballs.
- 14. A celestial body that orbits a star, such as the Sun, and has sufficient mass and gravity to maintain a roughly spherical shape, clearing its orbit of debris and debris. Planets may have solid surfaces, atmospheres, and moons, supporting life as in the case of Earth.
- 15. A small rocky or metallic fragment of debris in space, ranging in size from grains to meters in diameter, that travels through the solar system and may enter Earth's atmosphere as a meteor or shooting star, producing a streak of light upon burning up due to friction.
Down
- 1. A large system of stars, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravitational forces, forming distinct shapes such as spirals, ellipticals, or irregulars. Galaxies contain billions or trillions of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies.
- 2. A powerful and explosive event that occurs when a massive star reaches the end of its life cycle and undergoes a catastrophic collapse or explosion, releasing a tremendous amount of energy, light, and radiation into space, producing elements heavier than iron. Supernovae can outshine entire galaxies.
- 3. A small, icy celestial body consisting of dust, rock, water ice, and frozen gases that orbits the Sun in highly elliptical trajectories, developing a glowing coma and tail when heated by solar radiation as it approaches the Sun. Comets originate from the outer solar system or Oort Cloud.
- 4. A large cloud of gas and dust in space, primarily hydrogen and helium, where new stars are born through gravitational collapse and condensation, forming regions of intense star formation, emission, reflection, or absorption. Nebulae are often illuminated by nearby stars or ionized by radiation.
- 6. A group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern, shape, or configuration in the night sky, often representing mythological characters, animals, objects, or figures as seen from Earth. Constellations have been used for navigation, timekeeping, and storytelling throughout history.
- 9. A luminous celestial body consisting of hot, glowing gases, primarily hydrogen and helium, undergoing nuclear fusion reactions in its core, emitting light, heat, and energy into space. Stars range in size, temperature, and brightness, with the Sun being a typical example.
- 10. A natural satellite that orbits a planet, such as Earth's Moon, reflecting sunlight and appearing as a bright, illuminated disk in the night sky. Moons vary in size, composition, and surface features, influencing tides, climate, and geological processes on their parent planets.