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Ad Astra

· By Capn Rick · Published 2023-09-04T11:01:58.442Z

Meta Prompt
The answer is someone who may really enjoy this meta.
Hint 1: Hmm, if I remember my Latin correctly, "Ad Astra" means "to the stars".
Hint 2: Hey, wait a minute! I'm seeing "STARS" again in 51-Down51DCelestial bodies that are kinda cool (and in this puzzle n=7)[------], and the clue says there are seven of them.
Hint 3: 67-Across67A___ in the right direction[-----] is a hint regarding the symmetrical positioning of the seven interconnected STAR words. (Kinda looks like they are boldly walking or hiking across the grid, as if on a mission.)
Hint 4: Asta and Lassie were cool, but I think my favorite DOG STAR is TOTO.
Hint 5: Don't forget those first letters of grid entries in grid order! They're usually important!
Here is a link to the solution on the XWord Muggles forum: https://www.xword-muggles.com/viewtopic.php?t=2408&start=40#p141426
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

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Comments

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  • Wendy Walker 🤓4:40 · 2023-09-04T11:01:58.442Z
    Fun puzzle, Cap'n Rick! Thanks for letting me test-solve!
    • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:27:41.784Z
      Thanks for your help, Wendy!
    • Ergcat 19:38 · 2023-09-04T12:26:15.878Z
      Fun! Happy Star Trek Day! the Easter Eggs were great!
      • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:28:06.685Z
        Glad you enjoyed it, Ergcat.
      • Meg 2s · 2023-09-04T13:43:21.480Z
        I loved the Easter eggs! I drew stars in the correct spaces and tried to make a constellation. It’s the Klingon Empire, right? Otherwise you’re mixing franchises.
        • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:29:14.824Z
          Thanks, Meg. I was actually trying to depict stars "trekking" across the grid.
        • MatthewL 🤓12:24 · 2023-09-04T15:11:19.902Z
          Fun one! Think I found all the Easter Eggs. Will there be a list of those with the reveal?
          • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:30:13.289Z
            Thanks, Matthew. Yes, I'm planning to list the eggs with the reveal.
          • SamKat9 🤓15:14 · 2023-09-04T15:05:19.570Z
            Fun puzzle, thank you!
            • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:30:38.405Z
              Glad you liked it, SamKat9.
            • Darth 🤓13:09 · 2023-09-04T15:51:48.304Z
              Happy Star Trek Day! Thanks for the 33D33DDarth Vader's dominion[------] mention. ;)
              • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:31:18.059Z
                You're welcome, Darth. I did think of you when I came up with that clue.
              • Philip Chow 16:50 · 2023-09-04T16:21:50.675Z
                Live long and prosper 🖖
                • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:31:43.629Z
                  Thanks, Philip. Same to you!
                • Hector 4s · 2023-09-04T16:58:34.650Z
                  Wow, crazy amount of themish material in this!
                  • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:32:33.215Z
                    Thanks for noticing, Hector. The larger grid gave me more "space" for Easter eggs.
                  • ajk 🤓10:37 · 2023-09-04T17:03:10.045Z
                    Got distracted early by some of the (presumed) Easter eggs (PHASER16ADevice that produces special electric guitar effects[------], EMPIRE33DDarth Vader's dominion[------], ENTERPRISE45DAvis rival[----------], ETOILE37DPrima ballerina[------], ELROY72DJetson boy[-----], CRASHSITES9DRoswell and a friend's couch, perhaps[----------]). Eventually saw STAR BOARD48AGet on[-----], and then ANISE52AAbsinthe ingredient[-----] and GAZER59ACrystal-ball user[-----]. Symmetry gave me SIGNS40AOmens[-----], and after some confusion I got SUPER40D"Great!"[-----] STAR. At this point I had KELP32AFlavorful plant with medicinal benefits[----] and KEEL74DSection of a ship[----] pegged, so had already guessed the answer, which helped me to backsolve for TOTO8DMovie pooch[----]DOG49DFollow relentlessly[---] STAR and RAY10DCreature found in shallow coastal waters[---]SEA41DSalty expanse[---] STAR. Don't think I'd have gotten those last two otherwise. FINAL69DUltimate[-----] FRONTIER69ACrockett's milieu[--------] joined at the F is nice. :) Overall, great stuff as usual, though the ripple was a bit less gentle on me. 😂
                    • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:34:00.122Z
                      Thanks, Alan. Yes, in retrospect this one may be closer to a Level 3. Thanks for solving!
                    • DrTom 3s · 2023-09-04T18:08:53.031Z
                      I was also a test solver for this very well done puzzle. It was so long ago I had to go back and solve again. The Cap'n runs a tight ship! Thanks for a MMM that went where no man has gone before.
                      • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:35:07.760Z
                        Thanks for your help with this one, DrTom. It's always appreciated!
                      • whimsy 🤓16:38 · 2023-09-04T19:52:59.270Z
                        Once again, my second time around was just as challenging! Out of this world puzzle! Thanks, Rick!
                        • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:35:41.207Z
                          Thank you, Claudia! As always, I appreciate your help.
                        • I K Snamhcok 3s · 2023-09-04T20:24:39.093Z
                          Thanks, Cap’n! LL&P!
                          • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:36:00.669Z
                            Same to you, Chris!
                          • Tyrpmom 2s · 2023-09-04T20:53:24.284Z
                            Even non-trekkies may really enjoy this puzzle.
                            • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-04T22:36:32.646Z
                              Thanks, Beth. I hope you're right!
                            • woozy 18:08 · 2023-09-04T23:17:37.134Z
                              (a step) in the right direction through me and I tried A TREKIE and TREKIES and so on.
                              I really shouldn't forget everything I know about phonetics though.....
                              I'm going to blame it on the Esperanto lessons I've been taking but in reality I was so focused on getting most of TREK-IE, I let that blind me. (Trekie is a type of cheese, isn't it)
                              • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-05T01:05:27.116Z
                                Funny you should mention ASTEP67A___ in the right direction[-----] in the right direction, woozy. That's going to be one of my nudges on Wednesday. Thanks for solving.
                              • Bbaack 🤓44:16 · 2023-09-05T00:26:49.645Z
                                Great puzzle! I enjoyed all the Star Trek Easter eggs!
                                • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-05T01:06:08.317Z
                                  Thanks, Bbaack. Glad you liked it.
                                • HeadinHome 🤓5:30 · 2023-09-05T01:21:55.668Z
                                  TREKKIE would have been my wild guess just after doing the grid (by the content) — then figured out the STAR+ mech. I still don’t know where the final E is (for star sign). ?
                                  • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-05T02:17:08.891Z
                                    Thanks for solving, Wendy. Yes, I figured that a lot of solvers would be able to guess the answer without fully figuring out the mechanism. That's why I wasn't too sure about the difficulty level. Oh yeah, STAR SIGNS40AOmens[-----] was a tricky one to match up. Think "Lofty readings".
                                  • Carolyn 4s · 2023-09-05T01:08:51.640Z
                                    I really enjoyed this one. At first I tried to find the Zodiac signs, but quickly saw the STAR words. Loved all the hidden eggs!
                                    • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-05T02:18:42.980Z
                                      Thank you, Carolyn. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
                                    • Mwoychick 11:30 · 2023-09-05T03:13:42.326Z
                                      Enjoyed it again, Cap'n!
                                      • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-05T11:33:32.334Z
                                        Thank you, Mark.
                                      • Qmark 4s · 2023-09-05T12:59:54.637Z
                                        Thanks for another great meta, Cap'n Rick! Enjoyed the Easter eggs.
                                        • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-05T14:18:46.478Z
                                          Thanks, Qmark. Glad you liked it.
                                        • lbray53 3s · 2023-09-05T15:42:42.758Z
                                          Very fun, though I had so much stuff written down and had to ask Cap'n Rick to help me distill it a bit. I SO wanted "_in the right direction" to be the alternate clue for STARBOARD, but alas it was not to be!
                                          • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-05T17:54:47.129Z
                                            Thanks for solving, lbray53. Yes, sometimes those "eggs" are of the "red herring" variety. 😁 I hadn't thought about 67A67A___ in the right direction[-----] as an alternate clue for STARBOARD, but it's a good observation on your part. You will see 67A67A___ in the right direction[-----] reappear as one of my nudges, as my intention was to depict STARs "trekking" across the grid.
                                          • JHSeeman 12s · 2023-09-06T00:07:34.729Z
                                            Awesome one.....thanks Capn.
                                            • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-06T00:51:39.190Z
                                              Thanks, John. Glad you liked it.
                                            • ReB 8s · 2023-09-06T20:32:47.978Z
                                              Just from all the Star Trek grids items (and looking up that 9-8 is the anniversary of the first Star Trek episode), I expected the answer would be TREKKIE but I needed the nudges to rescue me from the various rabbit holes I was tripping over while trying to interpret 51-D51DCelestial bodies that are kinda cool (and in this puzzle n=7)[------].
                                              • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-07T00:01:53.691Z
                                                Thanks, ReB. Glad you hung in there and solved it!
                                              • Laura M 🤓10:05 · 2023-09-07T07:39:26.751Z
                                                Great puzzle, but I was a bit slow for it! I'd figured out hints 1-3 but for some reason I wasn't seeing the next step, I think because I started with DOG49DFollow relentlessly[---] STAR and looked for something about Sirius or a constellation, and when I didn't find it I thought that was the wrong path. I even saw the Star Trek themed fill and suspected the answer, but still had this blind spot. Hint #4 set me straight, thank you!
                                                • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-07T11:16:36.386Z
                                                  Thanks, Laura. Yes, the different attachments of "STAR" (at the beginning of the Across entries and at the end of the Downs) added another level of challenge to solving.
                                                • michaelm 🤓17:13 · 2023-09-07T13:29:11.894Z
                                                  Beam me up, Jim, I mean Rick. Amazing amount of work in there as usual!
                                                  • Capn Rick constructor · 2023-09-07T17:31:52.444Z
                                                    Thanks, Michael. Glad you liked it!
                                                  1A
                                                  ___down, final stage in Apollo missions
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                                                  Across
                                                  1. 1A
                                                    ___down, final stage in Apollo missions
                                                  2. 7A
                                                    Saucer contents?
                                                  3. 13A
                                                    See 1-Down1DWith 13-Across, era when a certain form of exploration became possible[-----]
                                                  4. 16A
                                                    Device that produces special electric guitar effects
                                                  5. 17A
                                                    Heavy-duty soap brand
                                                  6. 18A
                                                    "You there!"
                                                  7. 19A
                                                    Singer Mann and evangelist McPherson
                                                  8. 20A
                                                    Avoid retirement?
                                                  9. 21A
                                                    Mined-over matter
                                                  10. 22A
                                                    Spike on a sports shoe
                                                  11. 23A
                                                    Modernists, informally
                                                  12. 24A
                                                    Attorney
                                                  13. 26A
                                                    Terrestrials
                                                  14. 28A
                                                    Too ___ handle
                                                  15. 30A
                                                    Gym unit
                                                  16. 31A
                                                    Madrid Mrs.
                                                  17. 32A
                                                    Flavorful plant with medicinal benefits
                                                  18. 36A
                                                    Olympics squad in red, white and blue
                                                  19. 40A
                                                    Omens
                                                  20. 42A
                                                    Speak with a Jersey accent?
                                                  21. 43A
                                                    Razor brand
                                                  22. 44A
                                                    Native Alaskan
                                                  23. 46A
                                                    Kitchen whistler
                                                  24. 48A
                                                    Get on
                                                  25. 50A
                                                    How confident solvers solve
                                                  26. 52A
                                                    Absinthe ingredient
                                                  27. 53A
                                                    Circus venue
                                                  28. 55A
                                                    Actress Thompson of "Westworld"
                                                  29. 57A
                                                    "Kill Bill" role for Lucy
                                                  30. 58A
                                                    "Evil Woman" band
                                                  31. 59A
                                                    Crystal-ball user
                                                  32. 61A
                                                    Neptune's spear
                                                  33. 63A
                                                    Fender flaw
                                                  34. 65A
                                                    Sun. talk
                                                  35. 66A
                                                    Many moons ___
                                                  36. 67A
                                                    ___ in the right direction
                                                  37. 69A
                                                    Crockett's milieu
                                                  38. 74A
                                                    Type of deli roll
                                                  39. 77A
                                                    Hitters' stats
                                                  40. 79A
                                                    Big name in wine
                                                  41. 80A
                                                    Finish
                                                  42. 81A
                                                    "Worship of Venus" painter
                                                  43. 83A
                                                    Media mogul Murdoch
                                                  44. 84A
                                                    Music producer Brian
                                                  45. 85A
                                                    Japanese entertainer
                                                  46. 86A
                                                    "Limit: ___ customer"
                                                  47. 87A
                                                    Online chuckle
                                                  48. 88A
                                                    Bone-related
                                                  49. 89A
                                                    Lofty readings
                                                  Down
                                                  1. 1D
                                                    With 13-Across13ASee 1-Down[---], era when a certain form of exploration became possible
                                                  2. 2D
                                                    Liberty Bell locale, in short
                                                  3. 3D
                                                    More flimsy, as an excuse
                                                  4. 4D
                                                    "Please take ___"
                                                  5. 5D
                                                    Sheer, informally
                                                  6. 6D
                                                    Day divs.
                                                  7. 7D
                                                    Buddy of "The Beverly Hillbillies"
                                                  8. 8D
                                                    Movie pooch
                                                  9. 9D
                                                    Roswell and a friend's couch, perhaps
                                                  10. 10D
                                                    Creature found in shallow coastal waters
                                                  11. 11D
                                                    Joyful
                                                  12. 12D
                                                    Tom of "The Dukes of Hazzard"
                                                  13. 13D
                                                    Sailor's greeting
                                                  14. 14D
                                                    Richard of "Pretty Woman"
                                                  15. 15D
                                                    One who stares dreamily
                                                  16. 23D
                                                    Kathmandu native
                                                  17. 25D
                                                    Stir-fry pan
                                                  18. 27D
                                                    Flat-topped elevation
                                                  19. 29D
                                                    Assn.
                                                  20. 33D
                                                    Darth Vader's dominion
                                                  21. 34D
                                                    Untie
                                                  22. 35D
                                                    Packing a punch
                                                  23. 36D
                                                    Indented, perhaps
                                                  24. 37D
                                                    Prima ballerina
                                                  25. 38D
                                                    Catherine of ___
                                                  26. 39D
                                                    Shopping venue
                                                  27. 40D
                                                    "Great!"
                                                  28. 41D
                                                    Salty expanse
                                                  29. 45D
                                                    Avis rival
                                                  30. 47D
                                                    "And giving ___, up the chimney he rose"
                                                  31. 49D
                                                    Follow relentlessly
                                                  32. 51D
                                                    Celestial bodies that are kinda cool (and in this puzzle n=7)
                                                  33. 54D
                                                    Dessert cart display
                                                  34. 56D
                                                    Jason's ship
                                                  35. 60D
                                                    Last letter
                                                  36. 62D
                                                    Sci-fi weapons
                                                  37. 64D
                                                    Profs' helpers
                                                  38. 68D
                                                    "Ready, ___!"
                                                  39. 69D
                                                    Ultimate
                                                  40. 70D
                                                    Nixon's undoing
                                                  41. 71D
                                                    "___ Song Go Out of My Heart"
                                                  42. 72D
                                                    Jetson boy
                                                  43. 73D
                                                    Rosters
                                                  44. 74D
                                                    Section of a ship
                                                  45. 75D
                                                    Part of A.D.
                                                  46. 76D
                                                    Fan favorite
                                                  47. 78D
                                                    ___ Men ("Who Let the Dogs Out" band)
                                                  48. 82D
                                                    ___ for tat
                                                  49. 83D
                                                    Fish eggs
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