Surprising Science — March 25, 2014

Supersonic Jet Creates a “Cloud”

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This supersonic jet, the F-14 Tomcat, can create a cloud. Check out this footage of the jet ripping through the sky, leaving a trail of vapor. What you’re witnessing are the effects of the Prandtl–Glauert Singularity.

Image credit: mashleymorgan/Flickr

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A digitally enhanced view of a crescent planet Earth with a galaxy in the background.

Starts With A Bang

What was it like when planet Earth first formed?

The Earth that exists today wasn’t formed simultaneously with the Sun and the other planets. In some ways, we’re quite a latecomer.

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Four different images of supernova remnants from NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory

Starts With A Bang

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Can technology save astronomy from light pollution?

With LEDs bringing brighter nighttime lighting than ever before, and thousands of new satellites polluting the skies, astronomy needs help.

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Do gravitational waves exhibit wave-particle duality?

All matter particles can act as waves, and massless light waves show particle-like behavior. Can gravitational waves also be particle-like?

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