AERODYNAMICS & AERONAUTICS INTERSTELLAR & INTERPLANETARY MATTER A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site bow shock Bow shock around the BZ Cam binary star system as it moves through the surrounding interstellar gas The interface that forms between a supersonic fluid and an obstacle, such as a denser medium. Many examples are found in astronomy. A bow shock forms at the outermost part of a planetary magnetosphere, where the high-speed flow of the solar wind is suddenly slowed to subsonic speed by the planetary magnetic field. A similar boundary layer separates the heliosphere from interstellar space. Bow shocks also form around hot young stars where vigorous stellar winds slam into the surrounding interstellar medium. Related categories    • AERODYNAMICS AND AERONAUTICS    • INTERSTELLAR AND INTERPLANETARY MATTER Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP