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Cryptic Crossword #18

Across

1 Satellite destroyed – it’s punk! (7)

5 Insignificant quantities of iodine, oxygen, tantalum and sulphur (5)

8 Almost moon-shaped function with rising amplitude (9)

9 Some whale intestine worn around the neck (3)

10 Small, competent marten (5)

12 Crush odd Tory politician covered in beer (7)

13 Organic compounds derived from virus or sick barons around freezing temperature (13)

15 Smear picture, a point of no return? (7)

17 Speaker’s to bring legal action against Native Americans (5)

19 Fish in French station, we hear (3)

20 Planet high in alien lifeforms, originally, like a kangaroo (9)

22 Grass-like plant found on southern border (5)

23 A dry ram somehow makes a reference for solar observations? (7)

Down

1 Dismisses neuroscience writer (5)

2 Consume American energy (3)

3 Reported novel and obvious type of power (7)

4 Inner city geek, when moving, has this? (7, 6)

5 Italian swamp with a psychedelic plant (5)

6 Type of lens provided by Dorothy’s companion hugging large animal – not ant (9)

7 Wife puts on jeans back to front, then slowly at first, turns around (7)

11 Cried like a seal? (9)

13 Seeks food, taking a long time (7)

14 Regret swallowing key with Russian saviour (7)

16 Crow met her regularly for cheese (5)

18 Plant tissue can be extracted from sexy lemmings (5)

21 Pascal holding up one drink (3)

Answers and the next quick crossword next week.

To download a printable version of the page click here.

Tell us what you think at crossword@newscientist.com