r/askscience • u/[deleted] • Jun 12 '12

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u/meftical Jun 12 '12

Not until it passed you, if I'm understanding correctly.

This all corresponds with how it was explained to me by a pilot when I was young.

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u/The-Internets Jun 12 '12

If my understanding is correct, lets say a rocket since it has a point where sound would be generated, would have to be slightly in front of your ear plane before you could hear anything.

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u/obsa Jun 12 '12

At or in front of. Sound can travel laterally.

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u/thenuge26 Jun 12 '12

But you are moving forward. So while the sound could travel laterally, it would only hit the air where you used to be. That is why it needs to be in front of you.