Yes is does seem ridiculous. A colleague of mine said that they read it in a science magazine on an airplane and cannot recall which magazine or the basis of the comparison. I have tried to find any similarities possible, maybe some sort of fluids equation?
Scenario 1: Rocket Exhaust Shock Waves
A wave pattern forms on an exhaust plume. The wave is reflected back and forth between the fluid jet boundary, forming oblique shocks which resemble diamonds.
Scenario 2: Traffic Jams on an open highway
While driving on the interstate traffic comes to...