Explanations

This month's puzzle featured the embedded names of the 5 most prominent stars in the Cygnus constellation. The letters corresponding to the embedded names were missing from the relevant clues (highlighted in green). The stars were as follows:

DENEB (Alpha Cygni)
ALBIREO (Beta Cygni)
SADR (Gamma Cygni)
DELTA CYGNI
GIENAH (Epsilon Cygni)




Across

1. CHERUBIC (like an angel) minus HER (giving her) => CUBIC (the third degree)
2. DIS (Pluto) containing A (takes a) => DAIS (stand)
3. GRA (grades reduced by 50%) => GENERA (classes) - ENE
4. SEREA (erase variety) => SERENADE (musical performance) - N.DE
5. IVE containing CEO (got an executive leader) + R (Really starting) => ICE OVER (to freeze up)
6. ALLE (somewhat allergic) => ALLEY CAT (stray animal) - YCAT
7. SPANIA (in a spa massage) => SPANIARD (European) - RD
8. Initial letters (authority) Salutation In Respect => SIR (&lit)
9. OLARSY (royals blunder) + STEM (mets make a comeback) => SOLAR SYSTEM (star in the center of this) - S
10. IKEA (Swedish home furnishing store) minus I (snatching yours truly away from) => KEA (large parrot)
11. PEC (chest muscle) contained in RESTS (relaxes flanks) => RESPECTS (recognizes)
12. Y (ask =homophone why) + STERIA (satire created) => HYSTERIA (frenzy) - H
13. A + D (Disturbing source) + MR (man's address) => ADMIRER (someone who might want to remain a secret) - IRE
14. HBO (popular cable channel) + R (rooftop) => NEIGHBOR (connection to house next door) - NEIG
15. Initial letters (leaders) Set Amount Received Yearly => SALARY (&lit) - AR
16. Contained backwards within (looking back in) reTROSpect => SORT (kind)
17. Anagram (get very upset) mates => STEAM (&lit)

Down

1. RCMP replacing M with A (recruits Academic leader instead of Military captain) => REDCAP (British MP) - ED
2. RN (registered nurse) containing (covering) OR (operating room) => REBORN (with renewed spirit) - EB
3. RA (god) following CAME (arrived) => CAMERA (judge's chamber)
4. B (second class) + US => BUS (school transportation)
5. ARE + LES (the French) contained in (entering) CS (borders of CountrieS) => CARELESS (without concern for their actions)
6. D (day) => DINGY (dark, dull) - INGY
7. M (start to meander) contained in (through) SERIES => SMELTERIES (factories where metals can be extracted) - ELT
8. Initial letters (heads) Aboard The Rocket, Astronaut => AD ASTRA (to the stars) - DAS
9. Contained within (provides) zoO'S MICroscope => COSMIC (view of the whole universe) - C
10. AK (a king) contained within SHEDS (sheds robes) => SHAKE HANDS (offer a physical greeting) - HAN
11. ASS (fool) + AS containing (overwhelming) Y (unknown) => ASSAYS (evaluates)
12. Double meaning (I shall + contract a disease) => ILL
13. Contained within (of) mamA'S CRIB, Essentially => ASCRIBE (attributes)
14. Initial letters Topmost Initial Pinnacle => TIP (&lit)
15. IS following (coming after) SAD + M (griM ending) => SADISM (extreme cruelty)
16. Contained within (serving) sEDEr => EDIBLE (something to eat) - IBL
17. Cathryn maintains faked moon landing as a conspiracy, for example (6) - EO
18. T (first tennis) + HIT backwards (return) => TIGHT (difficult) - G
19. Contained backwards within (held back) whiskEY Rebellion => RYE (whiskey)