cosmic ray
noun
: a stream of atomic nuclei of extremely penetrating character that enter the earth's atmosphere from outer space at speeds approaching that of light
Examples of cosmic ray in a Sentence
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On Earth, the Large Hadron Collider can smash atoms together and accelerate particles to near light speeds — but in space, there are high-energy cosmic rays with over 10 million times more power than even those zippy particles.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Not all involve capes or cosmic rays.
—Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Before this month, Voyager 1’s last instrument loss came in February 2025, when engineers turned off its cosmic ray subsystem experiment.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Galactic cosmic ray exposure is the binding constraint on Mars crew transit.
—Fred Kennedy, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Not all involve capes or cosmic rays.
—Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Before this month, Voyager 1’s last instrument loss came in February 2025, when engineers turned off its cosmic ray subsystem experiment.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Galactic cosmic ray exposure is the binding constraint on Mars crew transit.
—Fred Kennedy, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cosmic ray
Cite this Entry
“Cosmic ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmic%20ray. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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