The Solar System - Word Search - PUZZLE #51 DAWN - August 2025

PUZZLE #51 - DAWN 

IN-CONTEXT WORD DEFINITIONS

Ion Propulsion: Dawn was the first NASA mission to use ion propulsion as its primary means of propulsion for interplanetary travel. Instead of chemical rockets, it used electricity to ionize xenon gas and accelerate the ions out of a thruster, providing a gentle but continuous thrust. This allowed Dawn to travel to and orbit two different celestial bodies, Vesta and Ceres, consuming far less fuel than traditional propulsion systems.

Protoplanet: This refers to Vesta, the second largest body in the asteroid belt and Dawn's first target. Vesta is considered a protoplanet, meaning it is a remnant of a larger body that formed early in the Solar System's history and underwent differentiation but did not fully develop into a planet. Dawn's studies of Vesta revealed insights into the early stages of planet formation.

Exploration: The Dawn mission's primary goal was the "exploration" of the asteroid belt's two most massive inhabitants, Vesta and Ceres. It was the first mission to orbit two distinct extraterrestrial destinations, gathering unprecedented data on their geology, composition, and internal structure.

Discoveries: Dawn made numerous significant "discoveries" during its mission. These include the realization that Vesta is a protoplanet, the identification of a giant impact basin at Vesta's south pole, evidence of water ice on Vesta, and the confirmation of Ceres as an ocean world with cryovolcanoes and bright salt deposits.

Surface Features: Dawn provided detailed images of the "surface features" of both Vesta and Ceres. On Vesta, it mapped vast impact basins, troughs, and craters. On Ceres, it revealed numerous impact craters, the cryovolcano Ahuna Mons, and the famous bright spots (faculae) within Occator crater.

Cratering: Dawn extensively studied the impact "cratering" on both Vesta and Ceres. The density and characteristics of craters helped scientists determine the age of different surface regions and understand the history of impacts in the asteroid belt.

Geology: Dawn's observations provided unprecedented detail about the "geology" of Vesta and Ceres. It revealed evidence of past volcanic activity (both silicate on Vesta and cryovolcanic on Ceres), tectonic processes, and the presence of hydrated minerals and salts.

Composition: Dawn's instruments analyzed the "composition" of the surface materials on Vesta and Ceres. This included identifying different types of rocks, minerals, water ice, and organic compounds, providing crucial information about their formation and evolution.

JPL: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was responsible for managing the Dawn mission. JPL designed, built, and operated the spacecraft, and managed the scientific teams.

Secret Word: The inert gas that served as the propellant for Dawn's ion propulsion system. The spacecraft carried hundreds of kilograms of this gas, which was ionized and expelled at high speed to generate thrust.