in astronomy, what are bow shocks?

Question

in astronomy, what are bow shocks?

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Answer 1

Bow shocks happen when fast moving gas/dust collides with other slower moving material. This can happen during a super nova. A red giant when dying will slough off its outer layers at high speed. Then later on, it blows up. The debris is moving super fast though, and it will slam into the previously ejected material and a bow shock results.