Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. 1 An energetic particle originating outside our solar system. 2 Cosmic radiation: a stream of cosmic rays.
WordNet
n. highly penetrating ionizing radiation of extraterrestrial origin; consisting chiefly of protons and alpha particles; collision with atmospheric particles results in rays and particles of many kinds
Wikipedia
Cosmic rays are immensely high-energy radiation, mainly originating outside the Solar System. They may produce showers of secondary particles that penetrate and impact the Earth's atmosphere and sometimes even reach the surface. Composed primarily of high-energy protons and atomic nuclei, they are of mysterious origin. Data from the Fermi space telescope (2013) have been interpreted as evidence that a significant fraction of primary cosmic rays originate from the supernovae of massive stars. However, this is not thought to be their only source. Active galactic nuclei probably also produce cosmic rays.
Cosmic Ray ( 1962) is an experimental film directed by Bruce Conner featuring black-and-white footage of a nude woman with a pearl necklace, Mickey Mouse cartoons, and newsreel footage of atomic bomb explosions, all set to Ray Charles's " What'd I Say".
Usage examples of "cosmic ray".
It follows, then, that if cosmic ray particles are atomic nuclei, then the chances are that roughly 90 percent of them are hydrogen-1 nuclei (protons) and 9 percent are helium-4 nuclei, plus a thin scattering of a wide variety of more complicated nuclei.
None of these are perfect solutions, particularly against the heavy ion component of the cosmic ray background, however, the one with the most promise is unconfined magnetic shielding—.
Their regular drive is a molecular drive with lead disintegration apparatus for the energy, cosmic ray absorbers for the hearing, and a drive much like ours.
The light and then the cosmic ray from the supernova, and the gamma rays from Hurricane Erin below, had all hit Mir on schedule, just as Erin and Tesla had predicted.
A cosmic ray striking a different gene, producing a different mutation, can have small consequences early but profound consequences late.
The Prometheus withdrew suddenly the screen h had maintained to stop Atkill's rays, and turned everything it could muster into a driving, searing cosmic ray.
BUT THE GAMMA-RAY SHOWER IS ONLY THE PRECURSOR TO THE COSMIC RAY CASCADES, WHICH CAN LAST MONTHS.
Still, as I say, I thought I had the cosmic ray by the tail, so I set out to check my ideas by observation, and for that I had to go out in space.