Brightness power spectral distribution and waves in Jupiter's upper cloud and hazes

Barrado-Izagirre, N.; Pérez‐Hoyos, S.; Sánchez‐Lavega, A.

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2009.02.015

Cited by 21 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Further details of the procedure are given in Barrado-Izagirre et al (2009b). At this step both image maps can be compared using an image correlation algorithm that identifies common structures in both images.…”

Section: Methodology and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Jupiter’s zonal winds and their variability studied with small-size telescopes

Barrado-Izagirre

Rojas

Hueso

et al. 2013

A&A

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Context. The general circulation of Jupiter's atmosphere at cloud level is dominated by a system of zonal jets that alternate in direction with latitude. The winds, measured in high-resolution images obtained by different space missions and the Hubble Space Telescope, are overall stable in their latitude location with small changes in intensity at particular jets. However, the atmosphere experiences repetitive changes in the albedo of particular belts and zones that are subject to large-scale intense disturbances that may locally influence the profile. Aims. The lack of high-resolution images has not allowed the wind system to be studied with the regularity required to assess its stability with respect to these major changes or to other types of variations (e.g., seasonality). To amend that, we present a study of the zonal wind profile of Jupiter using images acquired around the 2011 opposition by a network of observers operating small-size telescopes with apertures in the range 0.20−1 m. Methods. Using an automatic correlation technique, we demonstrate the capability to extract the mean zonal winds in observing periods close to the opposition. A broad collaboration with skilled amateur astronomers opens the possibility to regularly study shortand long-term changes in the jets of Jupiter. Results. We compare the 2011 Jovian wind profile to those previously obtained. The winds did not experience significant short-term changes over 2011 but show noteworthy variations at particular latitudes when compared with wind profiles from previous years. Most of these variations are related to major changes in the cloud morphology of the planet, in particular at 7 • N where an intense eastward jet varies around 40 ms −1 in its intensity according to the development or not of the "dark projection" features, confirming previous results.

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Section: Methodology and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Jupiter’s zonal winds and their variability studied with small-size telescopes

Barrado-Izagirre

Rojas

Hueso

et al. 2013

A&A

Self Cite

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“…The images were corrected for limb darkening by applying Minnaert's law (Minnaert 1941) and added to obtain smooth albedo maps (cylindrical projections, see Fig. 1) using the same technique as in Barrado-Izagirre et al (2009). From these maps, we extract longitudinal scans in a latitude band from 15 • N to 27 • N (planetocentric), every 0.1 • .…”

Section: Observations and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…of power spectrum slope n. There are some limitations and drawbacks of this method as explained in Barrado-Izagirre et al (2009), the most important being the spatial resolution in the images. For this reason, the spectral slope analysis was restricted to higher-resolution HST images.…”

Section: Epochmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For all of this, we restricted the power spectra analysis to 10 < k < 90. See Peralta et al (2007) and Barrado-Izagirre et al (2009) for further details of the brightness power spectral analysis.…”

Section: Epochmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, as a continuation of the work by Sánchez-Lavega et al (2008), we first present a detailed analysis of the NTBD cloud morphology and related brightness spatial frequencies at very different stages, applying a technique similar to that in Barrado-Izagirre et al (2009). The image properties selected in this work, together with the method employed in their analysis, are described in Sect.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evolution of the cloud field and wind structure of Jupiter's highest speed jet during a huge disturbance

Barrado-Izagirre

Pérez‐Hoyos

García-Melendo

et al. 2009

A&A

Self Cite

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Aims. Despite the banded visual aspect of cloud patterns in Jupiter, high resolution images indicate that these regions are markedly turbulent. One region of particular interest is the north temperate belt (NTB) at 21 • N planetocentric latitude, where the most intense Jovian jet resides with eastward peak speeds of 160−180 m s −1 . Almost every 15 years, the NTB is known to experience an eruption or disturbance that dramatically changes its appearance, a phenomenon known as NTB disturbance (NTBD). In this work, we characterize the morphology of the disturbed cloud field in the wake of the plumes that caused the perturbation, and check for changes in the velocity or shape of the jet. Methods. The 2007 disturbance was witnessed with unprecedented resolution by the Hubble Space Telescope and by a long-term survey based on the "International Outer Planet Watch" (IOPW) network. Our analysis is based on the brightness spectral distribution to characterize both the typical spatial frequency of the perturbation and its turbulent and wavy nature. We also compare our characterization with non-linear dynamical simulations of the disturbance using the EPIC dynamical model. Finally, we obtain a renewed wind profile for the region of interest by cloud tracking. Results. We detect a change in the power spectral slope of the cloud brightness following the disturbance that is related to a change in the typical size of the observed structures. We model the initial disturbance as a Rossby wave. A comparison of the jet profile in the NTB just after the disturbance ended (June 2007) with one observed a year later (July 2008), illustrates a net change occurred in the westward jet at 16 • N with a speed change of 25 m s −1 . As implied by the power spectra analysis, the disturbance and its related Rossby wave dissipate. We propose that this dissipation produced a momentum transfer to the anticyclonic side of the NTB jet increasing the speed of the westward jet at 16 • N as also supported by numerical simulations.

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Cassini Exploration of the Planet Saturn: A Comprehensive Review

Ingersoll

2020

Space Sci Rev

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Before Cassini, scientists viewed Saturn’s unique features only from Earth and from three spacecraft flying by. During more than a decade orbiting the gas giant, Cassini studied the planet from its interior to the top of the atmosphere. It observed the changing seasons, provided up-close observations of Saturn’s exotic storms and jet streams, and heard Saturn’s lightning, which cannot be detected from Earth. During the Grand Finale orbits, it dove through the gap between the planet and its rings and gathered valuable data on Saturn’s interior structure and rotation. Key discoveries and events include: watching the eruption of a planet-encircling storm, which is a 20- or 30-year event, detection of gravity perturbations from winds 9000 km below the tops of the clouds, demonstration that eddies are supplying energy to the zonal jets, which are remarkably steady over the 25-year interval since the Voyager encounters, re-discovery of the north polar hexagon after 25 years, determination of elemental abundance ratios He/H, C/H, N/H, P/H, and As/H, which are clues to planet formation and evolution, characterization of the semiannual oscillation of the equatorial stratosphere, documentation of the mysteriously high temperatures of the thermosphere outside the auroral zone, and seeing the strange intermittency of lightning, which typically ceases to exist on the planet between outbursts every 1–2 years. These results and results from the Jupiter flyby are all discussed in this review.

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Brightness power spectral distribution and waves in Jupiter's upper cloud and hazes

Cited by 21 publications

References 55 publications

Jupiter’s zonal winds and their variability studied with small-size telescopes

Jupiter’s zonal winds and their variability studied with small-size telescopes

Evolution of the cloud field and wind structure of Jupiter's highest speed jet during a huge disturbance

Cassini Exploration of the Planet Saturn: A Comprehensive Review

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