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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Voyager 1 turned off its subsystem to look at cosmic rays (high-energy particles) in February, then did the same with its Low-Energy Charged Particles (LECP) instrument in April.
—
Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 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
Apophis' surface is weathered due to eons of exposure to space weather, including solar wind and cosmic rays, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
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Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 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
Apophis' surface is weathered due to eons of exposure to space weather, including solar wind and cosmic rays, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 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 19 May. 2026.
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