Turbulence in the stratified ocean is inhibited at large scales by gravity, leaving internal waves and partially mixed fluctuations in the density field called fossil turbulence. Information about previous turbulence activity is preserved by the fossil remnants of 3‐D and possibly 2‐D turbulence. Turbulence in the interstellar medium may be inhibited by gravity at large scales, and by self gravity and electromagnetic forces at small scales, also producing fossils of previous active turbulence.