Topic: effects of sound wave fronts on cirrus clouds by Atlas rocket

[Michael Bath]

This was posted to Austpac list. Worth a look

Sonic Boom Meets Sun Dog 720p

This film is of an Atlas rocket penetrating a cirrus layer

One can see the effects of sound wave fronts on the local crystal
concentrations, and the orientations of the crystals are sufficiently
disrupted as to eliminate a 22 degree perihelion that was present.

Note that, contrary to the film's title, we are probably not seeing a
shock wave (NASA claims that the rocket did not go supersonic until 4
seconds after it passed the cirrus deck) but rather the intersection
of approximately spherical wave fronts with the cirrus.

[Paul D]

Same event different angle different video -

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2010/images/coolmovie/anna-herbst1.mov
(lower res)

Third video different angle

NASA SDO Launch

PD

[Colin Maitland]

Its like a rock hitting the surface of a lake creating the perfect ripple. Awesome footage. Also the vapour trail after it went supersonic is impressive.

Cheers

Col