63 Across

NYT Daily ? September 19, 2025

According to experiments, they can't "sleep" in space

Answer:

YOYOS

Hint:

Think of a classic toy that relies on gravity to return to your hand—astronauts found it useless without Earth's pull.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the idea that yo-yos don’t work properly in zero gravity—they can’t "sleep" (the term for when a yo-yo spins at the end of its string) because there’s no gravity to pull them back. Experiments in space have shown yo-yos just float uselessly when tossed, making them a fun example of how everyday objects behave differently outside Earth’s atmosphere. The word "sleep" here is a clever nod to yo-yo terminology, not actual rest.

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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