2021/10/14 by Keren Duer, Nimrod Gavriel, Eli Galanti +22 · 43 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrobiology #Astronomy #Atmosphere (unit) #Atmospheric circulation #Atmospheric sciences #Downwelling #Equator #Geology #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies #Geophysics #Jovian #Jupiter (rocket family) #Latitude #Meteorology #Oceanography #Physics #Planet #Upwelling #astro-ph.EP
paper · pdf · doi:10.1029/2021gl095651
published in Geophysical Research Letters 48(23) (American Geophysical Union) · 13 pages, 5 figures, Supporting information. Accepted to Geophysical Research Letters
arxiv created 2021/10/14 · openalex publication_date 2021/10/26 · arxiv updated 2022/01/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Abstract Jupiter's atmosphere is dominated by multiple jet streams which are strongly tied to its 3D atmospheric circulation. Lacking a rigid bottom boundary, several models exist for how the meridional circulation extends into the planetary interior. Here, we show, collecting evidence from multiple instruments of the Juno mission, the existence of midlatitudinal meridional circulation cells which are driven by turbulence, similar to the Ferrel cells on Earth. Different than Earth, which contains only one such cell in each hemisphere, the larger, faster rotating Jupiter can incorporate multiple cells. The cells form regions of upwelling and downwelling, which we show are clearly evident in Juno's microwave data between latitudes and . The existence of these cells is confirmed by reproducing the ammonia observations using a simplistic model. This study solves a long‐standing puzzle regarding the nature of Jupiter's subcloud dynamics and provides evidence for eight cells in each Jovian hemisphere.