Synonyms

cosmic ray

American

noun

Physics.

a radiation of high penetrating power that originates in outer space and consists partly of high-energy atomic nuclei.

cosmic ray Scientific

A ray of radiation of extraterrestrial origin, consisting of one or more charged particles such as protons, alpha particles, and larger atomic nuclei. Cosmic rays entering the atmosphere collide with atoms, producing secondary radiation, such as pions, muons, electrons, and gamma rays. Cosmic rays (and secondary radiation) can be easily seen in a cloud chamber.

Etymology

Origin of cosmic ray

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The bacteria were then exposed to radiation equivalent to 20 million years of cosmic ray bombardment on the Martian surface.

From Science Daily

Instead, the evidence points to cosmic rays as a key factor.

From Science Daily

They evaluated long-term exposure to cosmic rays, changes during magma evolution, and contamination from meteorites.

From Science Daily

To test this process, the researchers placed glycine inside the chamber and exposed it to simulated cosmic rays using an ion accelerator at HUN-REN Atomki.

From Science Daily

New work from astrophysicists at Michigan State University may help resolve a scientific question that has lingered for more than a century: where do galactic cosmic rays come from?

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023