What maintains the zonal circulation in planetary atmospheres?

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (3) References (19) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS What Maintains the Zonal Circulation in Planetary Atmospheres? Mayr, H. G. ; Chan, K. L. ; Harris, I. ; Schatten, K. Abstract The latest Voyager observations have shown large zonal velocities in Neptune's atmosphere, with some indication of alternating jets. Similar wind velocities have also been observed on Venus and are characteristic of planetary atmospheres in general, which is remarkable considering that the available solar or internal heating varies by more than a factor of 1000. A simplified model of the planetary circulation which provides some qualitative understanding is discussed. The basic assumption is that the source driving the circulation is also generating the dissipating eddies which are simulated by diffusion. Thus, the magnitude and structure of the zonal circulation are independent both of the source and the dissipation rate. The zonal velocities are related to the speed of sound and are of comparable magnitude in different atmospheres; although the available heating varies by a large factor, and the planetary parameters vary over a wide range. The alternating jets are described by a convective eigenmode which develops when energy transport out of the planetary interior is important, as is the case on Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: January 1991 DOI: 10.1086/169634 Bibcode: 1991ApJ...367..361M Keywords: Atmospheric Circulation; Planetary Atmospheres; Solar Heating; Jupiter Atmosphere; Neptune Atmosphere; Satellite Observation; Venus Atmosphere; Voyager Project; Lunar and Planetary Exploration; PLANETS: ATMOSPHERES; PLANETS: INTERIORS; PLANETS: JUPITER; PLANETS: NEPTUNE; PLANETS: VENUS full text sources ADS |