Astronomy Cryptogram Puzzle Worksheet | Student Handouts - Free Printable

Let’s solve this step by step.

We are given a code where each letter corresponds to a number:

A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, I=9, J=10, K=11, L=12,
M=13, N=14, O=15, P=16, Q=17, R=18, S=19, T=20, U=21, V=22, W=23, X=24, Y=25, Z=26

We need to decode each numbered sequence into letters to find the astronomy term.

---

Problem 1: An 1-21-18-15-18-1 is a glow in a planet’s ionosphere.

Break it down:
1 = A
21 = U
18 = R
15 = O
18 = R
1 = A

→ “AURORA” — that’s correct! Aurora is a glow in the ionosphere (like Northern Lights).

✔ Answer: Aurora

---

Problem 2: A 3-18-1-20-5-18 is a formation on a planet’s surface caused by a meteorite’s impact.

3 = C
18 = R
1 = A
20 = T
5 = E
18 = R

→ “CRATER” — yes, craters are formed by meteorite impacts.

✔ Answer: Crater

---

Problem 3: 12-9-7-8-20 is electromagnetic radiation that we can see.

12 = L
9 = I
7 = G
8 = H
20 = T

→ “LIGHT” — visible light is the EM radiation we can see.

✔ Answer: Light

---

Problem 4: 13-5-20-5-15-18-15-9-4-19 are small rocks in space.

13 = M
5 = E
20 = T
5 = E
15 = O
18 = R
15 = O
9 = I
4 = D
19 = S

→ “METEOROIDS” — these are small rocky bodies in space.

✔ Answer: Meteoroids

---

Problem 5: An 15-18-2-9-20 is the path of an object as it moves around another object.

15 = O
18 = R
2 = B
9 = I
20 = T

→ “ORBIT” — yes, orbit is the path one object takes around another.

✔ Answer: Orbit

---

Problem 6: People see a 19-21-14-19-16-15-20 as a dark spot on the sun.

19 = S
21 = U
14 = N
19 = S
16 = P
15 = O
20 = T

→ “SUNSPOT” — dark spots on the Sun’s surface.

✔ Answer: Sunspot

---

Problem 7: A 3-15-13-1 is the dust and gas surrounding the nucleus of a moving comet.

3 = C
15 = O
13 = M
1 = A

→ “COMA” — the cloud of gas and dust around a comet’s nucleus.

✔ Answer: Coma

---

Problem 8: The gravity of a 2-12-1-3-11 8-15-12-5 is so strong that light cannot escape.

First part:
2 = B
12 = L
1 = A
3 = C
11 = K → “BLACK”

Second part:
8 = H
15 = O
12 = L
5 = E → “HOLE”

→ “BLACK HOLE” — gravity so strong even light can’t escape.

✔ Answer: Black hole

---

Problem 9: 7-18-1-22-9-20-25 is a mutual physical force which attracts two bodies.

7 = G
18 = R
1 = A
22 = V
9 = I
20 = T
25 = Y

→ “GRAVITY” — the force that pulls objects together.

✔ Answer: Gravity

---

Problem 10: The earth’s atmosphere effectively blocks out most 21-12-18-1-22-9-15-12-5-20 light.

21 = U
12 = L
18 = R
1 = A
22 = V
9 = I
15 = O
12 = L
5 = E
20 = T

→ “ULTRAVIOLET” — UV light is mostly blocked by Earth’s atmosphere.

✔ Answer: Ultraviolet

---

Final Answer:
1. Aurora
2. Crater
3. Light
4. Meteoroids
5. Orbit
6. Sunspot
7. Coma
8. Black hole
9. Gravity
10. Ultraviolet