Cryptic crossword No 3,429

Thanks Kempley for a lovely tribute to a wonderful cosmic event! Finding the answer wasn’t always straightforward but the key was plain to see (eventually.) Lots of fun along the way with some sparkling individual clues, my faves being 9a, 12a, 21a, 2d, 8d, 15d, & 19d. Oh and 24d, once I got the synonym. Small q below…

Thanks Kempley for a nicely constructed crossword with my top picks being 13a, 4d, 6d, 14d, and 19d. I especially liked the device you used in 15d. 24d was the only clue where I needed your notes to explain the parsing. More to follow.

Great job, Kempley. Faves: 7a, 13a, 23a, 27a, 1d, 2d, 4d, 8d / 10d (CotD’s), 17d, 27d. Thanks.

Nicely themed puzzle Kempley, the photo gave it away! There were one or two I found tricky and had to reveal but overall an enjoyable solve, particularly liked 23a, 12a, 29a, 1d, 2d, 10d, 17d, thank you

Nice gentle puzzle, Kempley, for which many thanks. As others have said, a nice tribute. I thought your surfaces were particularly good, very clue telling a little story. Faves inc 12a, 25a, 27a, 3d, 10d, 18d and 19d. Thanks. PM