--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova…" description: "\"Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova shockwave might sweep away any gas clouds in its path.\" — Neil deGrasse Tyson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_clouds_like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova_2890080.png" --- # Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova shockwave might… ![“Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova shockwave might sweep away any gas clouds in its path.” quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_clouds_like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova_2890080.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_clouds_like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova_2890080.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_clouds_like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova_2890080.png) > “Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova shockwave might sweep away any gas clouds in its path.” [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A supernova’s powerful shockwave can clear away surrounding gas, similar to a snowplow moving at high speed. **In simple terms:** Supernovas can wipe out nearby material like a fast snowplow. Key Takeaway Understand that massive events can reshape their surroundings. Themes astronomy physics energy destruction Mood awe curious Type educational metaphorical When to use this quote - studying star formation - modeling supernova impacts - educational outreach Key Concepts stellar evolution shockwave dynamics cosmic cycles Questions to Reflect On - What other natural phenomena resemble a supernova? - How does this image affect your view of cosmic events? A Different Perspective The analogy simplifies complex astrophysics, possibly misleading. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Overdrive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overdrive/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) ## Related quotes > [A supernova is one of the most powerful explosions in the universe. It's so luminous, it can be seen across billions of light years.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/a-supernova-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-explosions-in-the-universe-it/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [We still don't know for sure what the trigger was, but since we've discovered meteorites with supernova dust, we do know that a violent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/we-still-don-t-know-for-sure-what-the-trigger-was-but-since-we-ve/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Every time I hear or see you, my heart goes in overdrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-cabilangan/every-time-i-hear-or-see-you-my-heart-goes-in-overdrive/) [Alexis Cabilangan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-cabilangan/) > [I waved my hand in front of my face, obi-wan style. "I am not here." Niall's mucas glands kicked into overdrive. "Eoin's dead! And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/i-waved-my-hand-in-front-of-my-face-obi-wan-style-i-am-not-here-niall/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [He realized now that a lot of the problem had been his own mind, which was usually moving at a speed ten or twenty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/he-realized-now-that-a-lot-of-the-problem-had-been-his-own-mind-which/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [You're a great liar...Overdrive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/static-x/you-re-a-great-liar-overdrive/) [Static-X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/static-x/) > [Yoga has stopped me from destroying my joints after running. It slows me down. My brain and body can go into overdrive - yoga…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-stiles/yoga-has-stopped-me-from-destroying-my-joints-after-running-it-slows/) [Julia Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-stiles/) > [If you hit the front end on the right-hand side you could turn that one on by itself and if you hit on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-ray-vaughan/if-you-hit-the-front-end-on-the-right-hand-side-you-could-turn-that/) [Stevie Ray Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-ray-vaughan/) > [I have always had this energy, which I think of as overdrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-stamp/i-have-always-had-this-energy-which-i-think-of-as-overdrive/) [Terence Stamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-stamp/) > [When a film is successful, you don't need to shout about it from the rooftops. I don't believe in going into overdrive. There's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emraan-hashmi/when-a-film-is-successful-you-don-t-need-to-shout-about-it-from-the/) [Emraan Hashmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emraan-hashmi/) > [During my early period I had custom-made overdrive stuff because I didn't like what they were making at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-trower/during-my-early-period-i-had-custom-made-overdrive-stuff-because-i/) [Robin Trower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-trower/) > [The interesting thing is that in everyday life, I fail to see the most ordinary things. I often stumble and sometimes I even fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-beltracchi/the-interesting-thing-is-that-in-everyday-life-i-fail-to-see-the-most/) [Wolfgang Beltracchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-beltracchi/) > [I thought it would be cool to take flat-picking and put it in overdrive. I thought it would bend the ear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-setzer/i-thought-it-would-be-cool-to-take-flat-picking-and-put-it-in/) [Brian Setzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-setzer/) > [People are asking that question again if Max is being too tough on his equipment, but that's complete nonsense. He can't overdrive, he can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-verstappen/people-are-asking-that-question-again-if-max-is-being-too-tough-on/) [Jos Verstappen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-verstappen/) > [I have this horrific thing where I'm really bad with names and faces. I have an appalling memory. Someone will come up to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/i-have-this-horrific-thing-where-i-m-really-bad-with-names-and-faces/) [Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/) ## More by Neil deGrasse Tyson > [I don't want to go into space because of war. I think we would if it was triggered. If China said they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-don-t-want-to-go-into-space-because-of-war-i-think-we-would-if-it/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Quantum physics fluctuates all the time. But now the fluctuations are not just particles coming into and out of existence, which happens all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/quantum-physics-fluctuates-all-the-time-but-now-the-fluctuations-are/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The Pacific is the best toilet for satellites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/the-pacific-is-the-best-toilet-for-satellites/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [... informed ignorance provides the natural state of mind for research scientists at the ever-shifting frontiers of knowledge. People who believe themselves ignorant of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/informed-ignorance-provides-the-natural-state-of-mind-for-research/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [If you seek only easy problems to solve, then ultimately, there'll be nothing about you to distinguish yourself from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/if-you-seek-only-easy-problems-to-solve-then-ultimately-there-ll-be/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The caricature of science is that we hold tight to the theories we have, and shun challenges to them. That's just not true. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/the-caricature-of-science-is-that-we-hold-tight-to-the-theories-we/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [New generations of humans inherit the acquired discoveries of generations past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit. Each discovery of science therefore adds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/new-generations-of-humans-inherit-the-acquired-discoveries-of/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [I've said multiple times that the world's first trillionaire is going to be the person who exploits the resources of asteroids, the natural resources…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-ve-said-multiple-times-that-the-world-s-first-trillionaire-is-going/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [ They \[scientists of centuries past\] call on God only from the lonely and precarious edge of incomprehension. Where they feel certain about their explanations,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/they-scientists-of-centuries-past-call-on-god-only-from-the-lonely/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [We explore our environment, more than we are compelled to utter poetry, when we're toddlers. We start doing that later. Before that happens, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/we-explore-our-environment-more-than-we-are-compelled-to-utter-poetry/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [You can't have people making decisions about the future of the world who are scientifically illiterate. That's a recipe for disaster. And I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/you-can-t-have-people-making-decisions-about-the-future-of-the-world/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Science surrounds you. It's not something that you can step aside, step over or push out of your way because you were never good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/science-surrounds-you-it-s-not-something-that-you-can-step-aside-step/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The idea that God resides in the unknown is what philosophers call the God of the gaps. And we have this thing called science,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/the-idea-that-god-resides-in-the-unknown-is-what-philosophers-call/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Everybody's got money for vacation time. Look at how much we all spend just to get - well, I get sick on the loop-the-loop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/everybody-s-got-money-for-vacation-time-look-at-how-much-we-all-spend/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) [Explore all 1,143 Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) ## More Clouds quotes > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [It lies around us like a cloud- A world we do not see; Yet the sweet closing of an eye May bring us there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/it-lies-around-us-like-a-cloud-a-world-we-do-not-see-yet-the-sweet/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [No matter how strong the storm, how hard the rain and how vicious the wind there is always a gap in the clouds for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-greenhalgh/no-matter-how-strong-the-storm-how-hard-the-rain-and-how-vicious-the/) Ben Greenhalgh > [The sacred lamp of day Now dipt in Western clouds his parting day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-falconer/the-sacred-lamp-of-day-now-dipt-in-western-clouds-his-parting-day/) [William Falconer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-falconer/) > [Just as the setting sun turned the clouds to liquid gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ende/just-as-the-setting-sun-turned-the-clouds-to-liquid-gold/) [Michael Ende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ende/) > [Evil may mar the divine image and cloud its brilliance, but it cannot destroy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/evil-may-mar-the-divine-image-and-cloud-its-brilliance-but-it-cannot/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Max—you have a bigger mission than finding the flock's parents. Focus on helping the whole world, not just your friends. I held my wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/max-you-have-a-bigger-mission-than-finding-the-flock-s-parents-focus/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Sometimes I envy painters, it is wonderful to remain in front of a bouquet of flowers a whole morning, or even longer. A photographer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edouard-boubat/sometimes-i-envy-painters-it-is-wonderful-to-remain-in-front-of-a/) [Edouard Boubat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edouard-boubat/) > [Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-clarence-stedman/above-the-clouds-i-lift-my-wing-to-hear-the-bells-of-heaven-ring-some/) [Edmund Clarence Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-clarence-stedman/) > [If you like I'll be furious flesh elemental, or- changing to tones that the sunset arouses- if you like- I'll be extraordinary gentle, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-mayakovsky/if-you-like-i-ll-be-furious-flesh-elemental-or-changing-to-tones-that/) [Vladimir Mayakovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-mayakovsky/) > [Sometimes in life the clouds are too dark to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/sometimes-in-life-the-clouds-are-too-dark-to-see/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [May you eat an unfamiliar dessert in a strange land at least once every three years. May you wake up... and start dancing while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/may-you-eat-an-unfamiliar-dessert-in-a-strange-land-at-least-once/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [We're thrilled that our partnership with Adobe has now grown to span our three clouds - Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics 365 -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-johnson/we-re-thrilled-that-our-partnership-with-adobe-has-now-grown-to-span/) [Peggy Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-johnson/) Browse all 2,443 Clouds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova shockwave might sweep away any gas clouds in its path.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil deGrasse Tyson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova-shockwave-might-sweep-away/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clouds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova-shockwave-might-sweep-away/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_clouds_like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova_2890080.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_clouds_like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova_2890080.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_clouds_like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova_2890080.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova shockwave might sweep away any gas clouds in its path.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Neil deGrasse Tyson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Like a snowplow in overdrive, a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova-shockwave-might-sweep-away/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova-shockwave-might-sweep-away/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```