Motions in Saturn's atmosphere - Observations before Voyager encounters

Details Motions in Saturn's atmosphere - Observations before Voyager encounters Motions in Saturn's atmosphere - Observations before Voyager encounters

Jan 1982

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1982icar...49....1s&link_type=abstract

Icarus, vol. 49, Jan. 1982, p. 1-16. Research supported by the Agrupacion Astronomica de Sabadell.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

17

Atmospheric Circulation, Saturn Atmosphere, Space Observations (From Earth), Spaceborne Astronomy, Summaries, Clouds (Meteorology), Pioneer 11 Space Probe, Planetary Rotation, Telescopes, Voyager 1 Spacecraft, Saturn, Atmosphere, Motion, Telescopic Observations, Clouds, Patterns, Belts, Zones, Latitude, Rotation, Period, Features, Velocity, Origin, Great White Spots, Data, Pioneer 11, Photographs, Physical Properties, Size, Hypotheses

Scientific paper

A summary is presented of all the telescopic observations of the clouds in Saturn's atmosphere made before the Voyager encounters with the planet. Saturn exhibits a pattern of belts and zones like Jupiter. Over the past century, however, they have been practically constant in latitude and have not undergone significant change. Some dark and white spots with diameters of approximately 6,000 to 10,000 km have been observed, making it possible to ascertain the atmospheric rotational period. From these measurements, only a strong equatorial jet can be inferred. Whereas the most obvious features of Saturn are the great white spots with diameters of 20,000 km or more, only five outbursts have been detected since 1876. It is noted that corrected measurements have been obtained of the zonal velocities at different latitudes, with variations between 430 and -14 m/sec with respect to the magnetic rotation of the planet. A subatmospheric origin for the white spots is proposed; they are seen as arising from a temporary and local anisotropy in the internal heat source.

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