Crossword Genius

For instance, essay about moon composed for this subject? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astronomy

'this subject?' is the definition.
(astronomy is a kind of subject)

'for instance essay about moon composed' is the wordplay.
'for instance' becomes 'as'.
'essay' becomes 'try' ('try' can be a synonym of 'essay').
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'composed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'moon' anagrammed gives 'onom'.
'try' going around 'onom' is 'tronomy'.
'as'+'tronomy'='ASTRONOMY'

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for astronomy that I've seen before include "Study of stars etc" , "Mayors not involved in study of the stars" , "Tory mason engaged in study of stars" , "Scientific study of the universe" , "Stargazing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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