Published September 21, 1990
| public
Journal Article
Simple Dynamical Models of Neptune's Great Dark Spot
Chicago
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Abstract
The large amplitude oscillations of the shape of Neptune's Great Dark Spot are well reproduced by simple dynamical models of an isolated vortex embedded in a background shear flow. From the time series of the aspect ratio and inclination of the vortex values are estimated for the background shear and the mean vorticity of the Great Dark Spot, and a lower bound is placed on the value of the Rossby deformation radius. These models imply the existence of a planetary-scale zone of deterministic chaotic advection in the atmosphere of Neptune.
Additional Information
© 1990 American Association for the Advancement of Science. We thank G. Flierl and P. Marcus for interesting conversations. The shape oscillations of the Great Dark Spot were originally observed by H. Hammel and L. Sromovski. J.W. gratefully acknowledges support from the NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program (NAGW-706) and the NSF Presidential Young Investigator Program (AST-8857365). L.M.P. gratefully acknowledges support from the Atmospheric Science Division of the NSF under grant 8911459-ATM. E.D. and A.P.I. acknowledge the support of the Voyager Project, and the NASA Planetary Atmospheres Program (NAGW-58).Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 38169
- DOI
- 10.1126/science.249.4975.1393
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20130429-152824411
- NASA
- NAGW-706
- NSF
- AST-8857365
- NSF
- ATM-8911459
- NASA
- NAGW-58
- Created
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2013-05-02Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS)