cosmic dust

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. fine particles of matter in space.

---

cosmic dust British  

noun

1. fine particles of solid matter occurring throughout interstellar space and often collecting into clouds of extremely low density See also nebula

---

Etymology

Origin of cosmic dust

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cosmic dust

Webb's infrared view captures the expanding shell of material left behind by the explosion, along with clouds of cosmic dust spread across the remnant.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 4, 2026

My colleagues in planetary science and I analyze images from night sky camera networks to study cosmic dust, small asteroids and debris left behind by comets.

From Science Daily ● May 14, 2026

Its highly sensitive infrared instruments can detect faint galaxies that earlier telescopes could not see, allowing astronomers to peer farther back in time and through thick clouds of cosmic dust.

From Science Daily ● May 12, 2026

"The star has so little carbon that it suggests an early sprinkling of cosmic dust is responsible for making it," said Ji.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 4, 2026

The outer layer was a meteor-bumper against which particles of cosmic dust would strike and explode without damage to the inner skin.

From Space Platform by Leinster, Murray