Have you ever wondered what happens when a rocket breaks the sound barrier? This clip shows the Atlas V rocket launching and then reaching supersonic speeds. The shock wave made by the rocket breaking the sound barrier can actually be seen rippling across the sky! Watch this mini movie to see it for yourself:

Don’t want to watch the entire launch? The big moment happens at 1:52 – click below to start watching a few seconds before it.

In Whizz Pop Bang 115: Make Some Noise, you can read about 10 Awesomely Amazing Things That Can Beat Sound In A Race – including a whipping diplodocus tail, a speeding bullet and a supersonic jet plane! You can find lots more science-, fact- and activity-packed editions of Whizz Pop Bang in our shop.