Progress in research on atmospheric vortices of gas giant planets

Abstract

The atmospheres of gas giant planets contain multi-scale vortex structures, which are not only key components of planetary weather systems but also important windows for understanding their internal dynamics and thermodynamic processes. This paper reviews recent advances in the study of atmospheric vortices on gas giants, covering their formation mechanisms, evolution, spatial distribution, lifetime characteristics, and interactions with background wind fields. It focuses on typical phenomena such as Jupiter's Great Red Spot and polar vortices, Saturn's hexagonal storm, and discusses the roles of theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and remote sensing observations in revealing vortex dynamics. From a theoretical perspective, this paper emphasizes the convective formation mechanisms of gas giant vortices, including two scenarios: moist convection in the weather layer and deep thermal convection. Moist convection in the weather layer is primarily driven by latent heat release associated with solar heating, where disturbed airflows rotate and merge under the influence of the Coriolis force to form large-scale vortices. Deep thermal convection, on the other hand, is driven by internal heat at the base of the convective layer, forming vortex tubes that subsequently merge into large-scale vortices. Both mechanisms involve vortex formation through convection, but differ in heat source depth, resulting in variations in the vertical extent of vortices. Considering the complexity of Jupiter's atmosphere, these two mechanisms may act together in vortex formation. In terms of numerical simulations, this paper explores possible causes of vortex formation based on rotating convection simulations in fluid dynamics, including shallow-water wave models, incompressible fluid models, and compressible fluid models. The shallow-water wave model primarily investigates the evolution of random disturbances in the stratosphere under rotational effects, while incompressible and compressible fluid models simulate the evolution of vortical elements in thin-layer and thick-layer convection, respectively. Simulation results show that all these models can generate large-scale vortices, suggesting they may represent important mechanisms for vortex formation in gas giant atmospheres. The specific formation mechanisms of atmospheric vortices on gas giants still require further integrated research combining theory, simulation, and observation. This paper aims to provide insights and references for a deeper understanding of the complex weather systems of gas giant planets.

Keywords

giant planets / atmosphere / convection / vortex / hydrodynamics

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(12173105)

Science and Technology Development Fund, Macau SAR(0147/2023/RIA3)

Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2024A1515012239)

MUST Faculty Research Grants(FRG-24-048-SSI)