What was the Space.com crossword clue this week?
Every week, Space.com presents a fun, knowledge-packed crossword that tests your grasp of space science, exploration, and cosmic trivia. For the week of January 12, 2026, one question stands out for its instantly recognizable sci‑fi flavor and real physics behind it: What is an Einstein-Rosen bridge more commonly known as?
The Einstein-Rosen bridge is a concept born from the math of general relativity. Named after physicists Albert Einstein and Nathan Rosen, it describes a hypothetical tunnel-like connection between two separate points in spacetime. In popular culture, this idea is far more familiar under a different name.
The quick answer: wormhole
The widely accepted term for an Einstein-Rosen bridge in scientific and educational contexts is wormhole. In theory, a wormhole could connect distant regions of space, or even different universes, with a shortcut through a higher-dimensional geometry. While the concept is elegant on paper and appears frequently in science fiction as a plot device, real-world physics has yet to demonstrate a traversable wormhole. The math shows possible structures, but the physical conditions required — such as exotic matter with negative energy density and extreme spacetime curvature — remain speculative and beyond our current engineering capabilities.
From theory to classroom: why the term matters
Names in science aren’t just labels; they shape how we think about fundamental ideas. “Einstein-Rosen bridge” honors the pioneers who contributed to the mathematical framework of spacetime, while “wormhole” offers a more intuitive, accessible way to discuss the concept with students and the general public. Space education often leans on familiar terms to bridge the gap between abstract equations and imaginative questions about space travel.
How physicists envision a wormhole
In the most common theoretical models, a wormhole connects two distant regions of spacetime in a way that resembles a tunnel with two mouths. If such structures could exist and be stable long enough for something to pass through, they might provide a shortcut between cosmic locations that would otherwise be separated by vast distances. However, practical traversal raises immense challenges, including the need to prevent the tunnel from collapsing and the requirement of exotic matter to keep it open.
Space.com crosswords: more than just trivia
Beyond being a playful weekly exercise, Space.com crosswords encourage readers to brush up on key terms, notable missions, and groundbreaking discoveries. They’re a reminder that space science is a field where curious minds can learn actively, making complex ideas more approachable through questions and context. If you’re new to the topic, taking a few minutes to explore terms like “wormhole” can spark further curiosity about relativity, astrophysics, and modern cosmology.
What to read next
Interested in the science behind wormholes? Look for Space.com features on general relativity, quantum gravity, and current research into spacetime topologies. You’ll find explanations of event horizons, black holes, and speculative journeys that blend physics with science fiction, all grounded in the latest discoveries from NASA, ESA, and the James Webb Space Telescope.
