The Solar System - Word Search - PUZZLE #35 NIX - August 2025

PUZZLE #35 - NIX 

IN-CONTEXT WORD DEFINITIONS

Pluto's Moon: Nix is one of the five known natural satellites that orbit the dwarf planet Pluto [20]. It is part of a complex system of small moons that orbit Pluto and its largest moon, Charon [19].

Tholins: These are complex organic compounds, often reddish or brownish in color, that are believed to be formed by the irradiation of simpler molecules like methane and nitrogen. While Nix is generally bright, the presence of tholins is thought to contribute to any slightly reddish hues on its surface, as observed on other Pluto system bodies [19].

New Horizons: This NASA spacecraft performed a flyby of the Pluto system in 2015, providing the first close-up images and data of Nix [20]. The mission greatly expanded our understanding of this moon and the entire Pluto system.

Discovery: Nix was discovered in June 2005 by the Hubble Space Telescope Pluto Companion Search Team, using images taken with the Advanced Camera for Surveys [20]. This discovery, along with Hydra's, shed new light on the complexity of the Pluto system.

Chaotic Rotation: Unlike tidally locked moons that rotate at the same rate as their orbit, Nix exhibits chaotic rotation. This means its rotation rate and axis of rotation vary unpredictably over time, likely due to the complex gravitational influences from Pluto and Charon [19].

Resonance: Nix is involved in an orbital resonance within the Pluto system. Specifically, it is in a 4:1 resonance with Styx, meaning for every 4 orbits of Styx, Nix completes 1 orbit [19]. This intricate gravitational dance stabilizes the orbits of these moons.

Orbital Period: Nix's orbital period around Pluto is approximately 24.85 days [20].

Elongated: Nix has an noticeably elongated shape rather than being spherical. This shape is a consequence of its small size and the lack of sufficient self-gravity to pull it into a round form [19].

Nyx: This is the name of the Greek goddess of darkness and night, and Nix is named after her [20]. The spelling was intentionally changed from "Nyx" to "Nix" to avoid conflict with the asteroid 3908 Nyx.

Secret Word: This Space Telescope played a crucial role in the initial discovery of Nix (and Hydra) in 2005 [20]. Its observations helped characterize the moon's orbit and brightness before the New Horizons flyby.