Mapping the zonal winds of Jupiters stratospheric equatorial oscillation


Abstract in English

Since the 1950s, quasi-periodic oscillations have been studied in the terrestrial equatorial stratosphere. Other planets of the solar system present (or are expected to present) such oscillations, like the Jupiter Equatorial Oscillation(JEO) and the Saturn Semi-Annual Oscillation (SSAO). In Jupiters stratosphere, the equatorial oscillation of its relative temperature structure about the equator, is characterized by a quasi-period of 4.4 years. The stratospheric wind field in Jupiters equatorial zone has never been directly observed. In this paper, we aim at mapping the absolute wind speeds in Jupiters equatorial stratosphere to quantify vertical and horizontal wind and temperature shear. Assuming geostrophic equilibrium, we apply the thermal wind balance using nearly simultaneous stratospheric temperature measurements between 0.1 and 30 mbar performed with Gemini/TEXES and direct zonal wind measurements derived at 1 mbar from ALMA observations, all carried out between March 14th and 22nd, 2017. We are thus able to calculate self-consistently the zonal wind field in Jupiters stratosphere where the JEO occurs. We obtain stratospheric map of the zonal wind speeds as a function of latitude and pressure about Jupiters equator for the first time. The winds are vertically layered with successive eastward and westward jets. We find a 200 m/s westward jet at 4 mbar at the equator, with a typical longitudinal variability on the order of ~50 m/s. By extending our wind calculations to the upper troposphere, we find a wind structure qualitatively close to the wind observed using cloud-tracking techniques. Nearly simultaneous temperature and wind measurements, both in the stratosphere, are a powerful tool for future investigations of the JEO (and other planetary equatorial oscillations) and its temporal evolution.

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