Date: Monday 19-Apr-2021
Time: 11:15-12:15
Location: Zoom
Speaker: Rick Cosentino (GSFC/UMD)
Title: Convective storms, waves, and super-rotation in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn
Super-rotation, or atmospheric circulation faster than a planet's rotation, is common to almost every atmosphere in the solar system. Atmospheric waves are a source of momentum that can transfer energy throughout a planet. Earth possesses an equatorial jet stream that changes direction approximately every two years in response to waves and convection. In 2016, there was an unprecedented disruption of this jet, called the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO), likely associated with the effects of climate change. We have observations of other stratospheric oscillations in Jupiter and Saturn that according to theory are similar in nature to the QBO but operate on longer timescales. As we continue long-term monitoring of the outer planets, we are beginning to observe patterns in their atmospheres and explore their climatology. This talk will introduce these phenomena from a highly comparative planetology perspective.
For further information contact PALS coordinator Dr. Lori Feaga at feaga@astro.umd.edu or (301)-405-1383.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
