3 Down

NYT Daily ? September 17, 2025

Apollo mission mementos

Answer:

MOONROCKS

Hint:

Think of what astronauts brought back from the lunar surface—these aren’t just souvenirs, but actual pieces of our celestial neighbor collected during historic spaceflights.

Explanation:

"Apollo mission mementos" points to physical keepsakes brought back from NASA’s lunar landings. The answer is "MOONROCKS," which are literal rocks collected from the Moon during Apollo missions—iconic souvenirs of space exploration. The clue plays on the idea of "mementos" as tangible reminders, while "Apollo" directly ties to the historic missions that retrieved them. It’s a straightforward reference without hidden wordplay.

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General solving tip

Match the clue's grammar: plural with plural, past with past. If the clue ends in 's' or uses a past-tense verb, mirror that form in the entry.

More tips → General Hints