cosmic ray
Plural
cosmic rays
1
a high-energy particle, mainly originating from outside the Solar System, that travels through space at nearly the speed of light
- Cosmic rays play a role in shaping the Earth's atmosphere and climate.
- Detecting cosmic rays helps scientists explore the mysteries of the cosmos.
- Cosmic rays are energetic particles that bombard the Earth from space.
- Earth's atmosphere shields us from most cosmic rays, but some penetrate to the surface.
- Astronomers study cosmic rays to understand the processes in distant regions of the universe.