A Deep Model on Jupiter’s Circumpolar Vortices

Abstract

Juno spacecraft has observed large-scale circumpolar vortices on Jupiter’s both poles. It remains unclear how these large-scale vortices are generated and maintained. Here we propose a deep model to explain their formation and maintenance. From numerical simulations, we find that the polygonal patterns of circumpolar vortices can be naturally formed in a deep rotating convection and maintained for a long time. Several processes are involved in the formation of the circumpolar vortices. Small cyclonic vortices are generated from random turbulence in rotating convection at first. Then these small vortices merge and grew bigger to form large-scale cyclones. Finally, the polar beta effect pushes the large-scale cyclones to form a polygonal pattern around the pole. Our model suggests that Jupiter’s circumpolar vortices probably are deeply rooted. This work was supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund, Macau SAR through No. 0156/2019/A3.