A new spin on rotating convection

2025/06/25 by Stephan Stellmach · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies #Geophysics and Gravity Measurements #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics

paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/jfm.2025.10160

openalex publication_date 2025/06/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Studying rotating convection under geo- and astrophysically relevant conditions has proven to be extremely difficult. For the rotating Rayleigh–Bénard system, van Kan et al. ( J. Fluid Mech., vol. 1010, 2025, A42) have now been able to massively extend the parameter space accessible by direct numerical simulations. Their progress relies on a rescaling of the governing Boussinesq equations, which vastly improves numerical conditioning (Julien et al. , arXiv:2410.02702). This opens the door for investigating previously inaccessible dynamical regimes and bridges the gap to the asymptotic branch of rapidly rotating convection.

Discussions

• Keith finally answered that question a couple years ago, right around the time that he passed away. The papers were published posthumously, and an excellent, accessible summary can be found here: doi. [bsky, 4 points, 1 comments]

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