JGR 1997


Williams, G. P., 1997:
Planetary vortices and Jupiter's vertical structure.
Journal of Geophysical Research, 102 (E4), 9303-9308.

Abstract: Measurements of the vertical structure of Jupiter's circulation have recently been made near the equator by the Galileo spacecraft probe. In other regions, planetary vortices exist selectively for a limited range of generic (exponential) vertical forms and can be used to probe the atmospheric structure theoretically. A study of vortex genesis with a three-dimensional numerical model produces reasonably realistic simulations of the Great Red Spot for both the generic and galilean forms, provided that Jupiter's winds do not extend much beyond a 500 km depth. But the actual depth of the winds remains uncertain.