air shower

noun

1. a shower of secondary cosmic radiation, caused by the interaction of cosmic radiation or gamma radiation with the atmosphere.

Word History and Origins

Origin of air shower¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

When a very high-energy particle strikes Earth’s atmosphere, it triggers a cascade of secondary particles in an event known as an “air shower.”

From Scientific American

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory, the biggest device of its kind, has detected a dozen sources of ultra high-energy gamma rays, according to a study in the journal Nature, from what Cao calls “many hot spots,” in our Milky Way galaxy.

From Seattle Times

On the other hand, the air shower could have the positive effect of limiting sideways movements of air.

From Reuters

On the way to lockers and an air shower that blows dust off their clothes, workers pass a small break area.

From Reuters

The field will also greatly benefit from the operations of facilities such as the future international Cherenkov Telescope Array and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory in Daocheng, China.

From Nature