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Jupiter's Great Red Spot and other vorticesA theoretical explanation of Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS) as the self-organization of vorticity in turbulence is presented. A number of properties of the GRS and other Jovian vortices that are unambiguous from the data are listed. The simplest possible model that explains these properties one at a time rather than in a difficult all-encompassing planetary global circulation model is presented. It is shown that Jovian vortices reflect the behavior of quasi-geostrophic (QG) vortices embedded in an east-west wind with bands of uniform potential vorticity. It is argued that most of the properties of the Jovian vortices can be easily explained and understood with QG theory. Many of the signatures of QG vortices are apparent on Voyager images. In numerical and laboratory experiments, QG vortices relax to approximately steady states like the Jovian vortices, rather than oscillating or rotating Kida ellipses.
Document ID
19940036084
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Marcus, Philip S.
(California Univ. Berkeley, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: In: Annual review of astronomy and astrophysics. Vol. 31 (A94-12726 02-90)
Publisher: Annual Reviews, Inc.
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
94A12739
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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