Superbubbles from shock waves from supernova or stellar winds?

[sarahrose]

Can someone explain to me how shock waves from supernova or stellar winds can generate a superbubble? Does the energy from the shock get converted to thermal energy through compression?

 

[Chronos]

Superbubbles arise from the interstellar medium being compressed by means such as you have identified. It then recoils producing a shock wave.

 

[cadnr]

Supersonic gas from a star creates a radial shock front moving away from the star. In front of the shock front the gas is compressed and heated. Behind the front is the hot expanding gas from the star.

MHD (magnetic field) is also important in accelerating charged matter in a shock and therefore further heating the gas.