Parametric Simulations of the Great Dark Spots of Neptune

Details Parametric Simulations of the Great Dark Spots of Neptune Parametric Simulations of the Great Dark Spots of Neptune

Sep 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.1131d&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #11.31; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.501

Physics

Scientific paper

Observations by Voyager II and the Hubble Space Telescope of the Great Dark Spots (GDS) of Neptune suggest that large vortices with lifespans of years are not uncommon occurrences in the atmosphere of Neptune. The variability of these features over time, in particular the complex motions of GDS-89, make them challenging candidates to simulate in atmospheric models.
Previously, using the Explicit Planetary Isentropic-Coordinate (EPIC) General Circulation Model, LeBeau and Dowling (1998) simulated the GDS-like vortex features. Qualitatively, the drift, oscillation, and tail-like features of GDS-89 were recreated, although precise numerical matches were only achieved for the meridional drift rate. In 2001, Stratman et al. applied EPIC to simulate the formation of bright companion clouds to the Great Dark Spots. In 2006, Dowling et al. presented a new version of EPIC, which includes hybrid vertical coordinate, cloud physics, advanced chemistry, and new turbulence models. With the new version of EPIC, more observation results, and more powerful computers, it is the time to revisit CFD simulations of the Neptune's atmosphere and do more detailed work on GDS-like vortices.
In this presentation, we apply the new version of EPIC to simulate GDS-89. We test the influences of different parameters in the EPIC model: potential vorticity gradient, wind profile, initial latitude, vortex shape, and vertical structure. The observed motions, especially the latitudinal drift and oscillations in orientation angle and aspect ratio, are used as diagnostics of these unobserved atmospheric conditions. Increased computing power allows for more refined and longer simulations and greater coverage of the parameter space than previous efforts. Improved quantitative results have been achieved, including voritices with near eight-day oscillations and comparable variations in shape to GDS-89.
This research has been supported by Kentucky NASA EPSCoR.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Parametric Simulations of the Great Dark Spots of Neptune 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 Parametric Simulations of the Great Dark Spots of Neptune, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Parametric Simulations of the Great Dark Spots of Neptune will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-998946