Jupiter’s South South Temperate Zone vortices: Observations and simulations

Details Jupiter’s South South Temperate Zone vortices: Observations and simulations Jupiter’s South South Temperate Zone vortices: Observations and simulations

Apr 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010icar..206..747m&link_type=abstract

Icarus, Volume 206, Issue 2, p. 747-754.

Physics

Scientific paper

The region in Jupiter’s atmosphere with the highest density of anticyclonic spot-like vortices is the region known as the South South Temperate Zone (SSTZ), which is located between the eastward jet at ≈-42.9° latitude and the westward jet at ≈-39.2° latitude. We present a characterization of the spots found in this region based on ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope observations from the years 1993 to 2007. Mergers have been reported between spots in this region, similar to those observed for the White Ovals in the latitudinal domain immediately equatorward (northward). We use a multilayer model to perform numerical simulations that capture the details of a well-observed merger event involving multiple interacting vortices. We find that the vertical stratification has an important effect in the outcome of the interaction between spots. In particular it can play a determining role on whether or not a cyclone embedded between two approaching anticyclones can inhibit their merging. From our simulations we conclude that the background static stability of the atmosphere in the SSTZ is better characterized by an average value of N=0.005s-1.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Jupiter’s South South Temperate Zone vortices: Observations and simulations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Jupiter’s South South Temperate Zone vortices: Observations and simulations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Jupiter’s South South Temperate Zone vortices: Observations and simulations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1583688