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Numerical modeling of Jupiter's moist convection layer
Author(s) -
Nakajima Kensuke,
Takehiro Shinichi,
Ishiwatari Masaki,
Hayashi YoshiYuki
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl011740
Subject(s) - convection , condensation , mixing (physics) , mixing ratio , boundary layer , jupiter (rocket family) , homogeneous , atmospheric sciences , humidity , atmosphere (unit) , mechanics , relative humidity , planetary boundary layer , physics , environmental science , meteorology , thermodynamics , astronomy , space shuttle , quantum mechanics
Moist convection of Jupiter's atmosphere is examined using a large‐domain two‐dimensional fluid dynamical model with simplified cloud microphysics of water. The result shows that the water condensation level acts as a dynamical and compositional boundary. The convection below the condensation level is characterized by a steady regular cellular structure and a homogeneous distribution of water mixing ratio. Above the condensation level, cloud elements accompanied by the upward motion develop and disappear irregularly but successively, and water mixing ratio is highly inhomogeneous. The horizontal average of mixing ratio decreases rapidly with height just above the condensation level, resulting in a distinctive stable layer at 5 bar. The stable layer prevents the air masses above and below it from mixing with each other. As a result, the upper dry air does not reach 20 bar level, where the Galileo probe observed low humidity.