accelerator: (in physics) Also known as a particle accelerator, this massive machine revs up the motion of subatomic particles to great speed, and then beams them at targets. Sometimes the beams are used to deliver radiation at a tissue for cancer treatment. Other times, scientists crash the particles into solid targets in hopes of breaking the particles into their building blocks.
astronomer: A scientist who works in the field of research that deals with celestial objects, space and the physical universe.
collider: (in physics) Sometimes called an “atom smasher,” it is a type of particle accelerator that speeds up charged particles (ions) through an electric field inside a hollow tube or racetrack-shaped structure. Eventually the device will direct the ions to collide with an unmoving target or another beam of moving particles. The ensuing collisions force some particles to interact — and break apart or briefly bind. Some of smashed particle also may recombine, creating new particles. The biggest of these machines are used to hunt for the basic building blocks of all nature.
cosmos: (adj. cosmic) A term that refers to the universe and everything within it.
electron: A negatively charged particle, usually found orbiting the outer regions of an atom; also, the carrier of electricity within solids.
field: (in physics) A region in space where certain physical effects operate, such as magnetism (created by a magnetic field), gravity (by a gravitational field), mass (by a Higgs field) or electricity (by an electrical field).
galaxy: A group of stars — and usually dark matter — all held together by gravity. Giant galaxies, such as the Milky Way, often have more than 100 billion stars. The dimmest galaxies may have just a few thousand. Some galaxies also have gas and dust from which they make new stars.
gamma rays: High-energy radiation often generated by processes in and around exploding stars. Gamma rays are the most energetic form of light.
magnetic field: An area of influence created by certain materials, called magnets, or by the movement of electric charges.
matter: Something that occupies space and has mass. Anything on Earth with matter will have a property described as "weight."
Milky Way: The galaxy in which Earth’s solar system resides.
nebula: A cloud of space gas and dust existing between major adult stars. Telescopes can detect these clouds by the light they emit or reflect. Some nebulas also appear to serve as the nurseries in which stars are born.
observatory: (in astronomy) The building or structure (such as a satellite) that houses one or more telescopes.
particle: A minute amount of something.
proton: A subatomic particle that is one of the basic building blocks of the atoms that make up matter. Protons belong to the family of particles known as hadrons.
quadrillion: A very big unit of measure equal to 1,000 trillion. It would be written with a 1 followed by 15 zeros.
star: The basic building block from which galaxies are made. Stars develop when gravity compacts clouds of gas. When they become hot enough, stars will emit light and sometimes other forms of electromagnetic radiation. The sun is our closest star.
trillion: A number representing a million million — or 1,000,000,000,000 — of something.
turbulent: (n. turbulence) An adjective for the unpredictable fluctuation of a fluid (including air) in which its velocity varies irregularly instead of maintaining a steady or calm flow.