cosmic rays

British  

plural noun

1. Also called: cosmic radiation.  radiation consisting of particles, esp protons, of very high energy that reach the earth from outer space

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cosmic rays Cultural  

1. Elementary particles, mainly protons, that are produced by the sun and other stars and then strike the upper atmosphere of the Earth. Some of these particles are absorbed, some help form the Van Allen belt, and some reach the Earth's surface, where they form a part of the background radiation that constantly surrounds us.

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Example Sentences

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

Other theories propose that cosmic rays start the process because the charged particles they produce accelerate within existing electric fields.

From Science Daily