What maintains the zonal circulation in planetary atmospheres

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169634· OSTI ID:5833410

Mayr, H G; Chan, K L; Harris, I; Schatten, K ^[1]

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1. NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (USA)

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. 26 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5833410
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 367; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEATING
JETS
JUPITER PLANET
NEPTUNE PLANET
SATURN PLANET
VENUS PLANET
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES
WIND
ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena