bow shock
noun/ˈbaʊʃɑk/
1
Fluid dynamics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics A shock wave formed by the bow of an object travelling at supersonic speed.
2
Astronomy, Natural sciences The region of the magnetosphere in which the solar wind slows from supersonic to subsonic.
3
A bow wave.
- Synonyms
- detached shock
- Related terms
- termination shock, interstellar space