Bow Shock
The top image shows the bow shock of an U.S. Air Force plane as it flies through the air. The bottom image is for comparison. It shows the bow shock of the magnetosphere.
Click on image for full size version
Image courtesy of NASA
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The Bow Shock in front of a planetary magnetosphere, or other magnetic object in the solar wind, is very similar to the bow wave of a boat as the bow of the ship passes through the water. It is similar to the wave in front of a rock in a stream. A plane traveling at supersonic speeds also produces a bow shock in the air in front of the plane, while it is flying.
The bow shock helps force the solar wind to go around the magnetosphere or ionosphere.
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What is Interplanetary Space?
What is a Magnetosphere?
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