Open AccessPlanetary vortices and Jupiter's vertical structure
Author(s) -
Williams G. P.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/97je00520
Subject(s) - vortex , jupiter (rocket family) , equator , galilean moons , physics , galilean , geology , jovian , geophysics , spacecraft , planet , meteorology , astronomy , classical mechanics , latitude , natural satellite , saturn
Measurements of the vertical structure of Jupiter's circulation have recently been made near the equator by the Galileo spacecraft probe. In other regions, planetary vortices exist selectively for a limited range of generic (exponential) vertical forms and can be used to probe the atmospheric structure theoretically. A study of vortex genesis with a three‐dimensional numerical model produces reasonably realistic simulations of the Great Red Spot for both the generic and galilean forms, provided that Jupiter's winds do not extend much beyond a 500 km depth. However, the actual depth of the winds remains uncertain.