THE SUNDAY CROSSWORD NO. 3304

shape of this planet gives it its name. By what name is this popular series known?

Born this day in 1960, Sir Ian Rankin is a Scottish writer known for his crime ction. He is a major contributor to a genre known as ’tartan noire’, with almost all his novels set in a particular city in the UK. Which city does the detective Rebus work in, that is a¤ectionately known as ‘Old Smoky’?

On this day in 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd went to number one on the US charts, beginning a record-breaking 741-week chart run. Named after the huge hoardings that run ads, what is this chart called, which is the music industry standard?

On this day in 2021, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe became the rst spacecraft to cross the critical Alfvén boundary. This is the extent of the atmosphere of a star, also known as the stellar corona, and is considered the outer boundary of the star. What star did Parker cross the Alfvén boundary of?

Across 1 10

Jocose friend trashed United (6,6)

Somewhere in Bolivia, personal assistant coming back with illuminating insights (7)

One that’ll take a drink, or one that’s had too many? (7)

Joint enterprise finally getting large yield (5)

A nasty aquatic creature. One’s nature? Drowning animals, primarily! (8)

Underlying – put another way, having long-term effect (10)

Ribbons arranged, we’re told, for fancy man (4)

Most common Scrabble tiles gathered, bringing comfort(4)

Tries to get a ride from ship’s company: it’s torturous! (10)

Displays gluttony having consumed tea before end of cricketing encounters (8)

Fraudulent old girl taking public transport? (5)

Ecstasy tablets and C illegally acquired at source in Baltic state (7)

Uranium record held by source of wine: cunning! (7)

Proved highly amusing? (6,1,5)

Down 2

Taking some cover, Biden poorly estimated risk (7)

Wine – cork removed – bravo! (4,4)

Tear and shatter(4)

Where a nest egg may be found to be at

6 7 8 9 14 17 19 21 23 25

SOLUTION NO. 3303