General circulation model simulations of superrotation in slowly rotating atmospheres - implications for Venus

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(86)90166-1· OSTI ID:7259169

Covey, C; Pitcher, E J; Brown, J P

The results of three-dimensional general circulation model experiments simulating the earth atmosphere with planetary rotation rates between 1 and 1/64th times the earth's and diurnally averaged thermal forcing are used to evaluate Venus atmospheric superrotation theories invoking the upward transport of angular momentum from the solid planet by the zonal mean circulation. While the theories predict that superrotation is a common feature of slowly rotating planetary atmospheres, suggesting that superrotation should appear in the present, slowly rotating cases, the steady state circulations are noted to include only weak globally averaged superrotation, consistent with previously reported results from lower resolution models. The thermally driven equator-to-pole circulation rapidly generates zonal mean winds during spinup, near the planetary surface, precluding vertical angular momentum transport and suppressing further superrotation development. 29 references.

• Research Organization: Miami Univ., FL
• OSTI ID: 7259169
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 66; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
ANGULAR VELOCITY
ATMOSPHERES
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
DAILY VARIATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
HEATING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOTION
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
ROTATION
SOLAR HEATING
VARIATIONS
VELOCITY
VENUS PLANET