cosmic dust

noun

: very fine particles of solid matter found in any part of the universe

Examples of cosmic dust in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Observing with X-rays, which can penetrate cosmic dust, offers a way around this problem. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024 Warm hydrogen glows pinkish-purple in the image, while cosmic dust, composed of tiny grains of siliceous (rocky) and carbonaceous (sooty) material, appears reddish-brown. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 June 2024 Although the existence of dust in space continues to be surrounded by intrigue, an international team of astronomers recently identified a type Ia supernova creating cosmic dust. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Its imagers, which include the Near-Infrared Camera and Mid-Infrared Instrument, allow JWST to look beyond cosmic dust and sense weak and ancient light from up to 13 billion years ago, just 800,000 years after the universe was born. Popular Science, 12 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for cosmic dust 

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cosmic dust was in 1881

Cite this Entry

“Cosmic dust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmic%20dust. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cosmic dust

noun
: very fine particles of solid matter found in any part of the universe
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