The Solar System - Word Search - PUZZLE #43 MAGELLAN - August 2025

PUZZLE #43 - MAGELLAN 

IN-CONTEXT WORD DEFINITIONS

Mapping: The primary goal of the Magellan mission was to create a global radar map of Venus's surface. Over its four-year mission, Magellan mapped 98% of the planet's surface at a resolution of about 100 meters, far exceeding previous missions. This comprehensive mapping revealed an array of geological features previously unseen.

Surface: In this context, "surface" refers to the solid outer layer of Venus that Magellan's radar was designed to image. Despite Venus's extremely hot and high-pressure environment, the radar was able to reveal the planet's unique surface features, including volcanoes, lava flows, and impact craters.

Topography: Magellan's radar altimeter measured the elevation variations across Venus's surface, providing detailed topographic maps. These maps allowed scientists to study the planet's mountains, plains, highlands, and lowlands, providing insights into its geological processes.

Aerobraking: This was a technique used by Magellan to gradually lower its orbit around Venus. Instead of firing thrusters, the spacecraft dipped into the planet's upper atmosphere, using atmospheric drag to slow down and reshape its orbit. This process saved fuel and allowed for more detailed gravity field measurements.

Atlantis: The Magellan spacecraft was deployed into orbit by the Space Shuttle Atlantis during STS-30 mission in May 1989. The shuttle provided the launch platform and initial boost to send Magellan on its journey to Venus.

Launch: This refers to the event where the Magellan spacecraft was propelled from Earth's surface into space. Following deployment from the Space Shuttle Atlantis, the spacecraft's Inertial Upper Stage booster ignited to send Magellan on its trajectory towards Venus.

Lithosphere: This refers to Venus's outermost rigid layer, analogous to Earth's crust and uppermost mantle. Magellan's gravity field data helped scientists study the thickness and behavior of Venus's lithosphere, revealing differences in its tectonic activity compared to Earth.

VERITAS: VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy) is a proposed NASA mission to Venus. It aims to build upon Magellan's legacy by using advanced radar and spectroscopy to study Venus's surface, interior, and atmosphere with even greater detail, including high-resolution topography and gravity field measurements, potentially looking for signs of past or present volcanism and water.

Magellan: The name of the pioneering NASA spacecraft that comprehensively mapped the surface of Venus using radar. The mission, named after the 16th-century explorer Ferdinand Magellan, revolutionized our understanding of Venus's geology and surface features.

Secret Word: Magellan utilized a sophisticated radar system because Venus's thick atmosphere is opaque to visible light. This radar, specifically a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), could penetrate the clouds and map the planet's surface. It sent out radio waves and measured the time it took for the reflected waves to return, creating detailed images of the terrain.