Jupiter's Occultation Radii: Implications for its Internal Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores how Jupiter's shape, influenced by rotation and differential winds, can reveal insights into its internal dynamics, suggesting shape measurements as a tool to constrain the depth of zonal winds.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Jupiter's observed shape can be explained by both solid-body and differential rotation models, highlighting shape measurements as a method to probe internal rotation profiles.

Findings

Solid-body rotation matches Jupiter's shape.

Differential rotation on cylinders up to 20-30 degrees latitude is consistent.

Shape measurements can constrain the depth of zonal winds.

Abstract

The physical shape of a giant planet can reveal important information about its centrifugal potential, and therefore, its rotation. In this paper I investigate the response of Jupiter's shape to differential rotation on cylinders of various cylindrical radii using a simple equipotential theory. I find that both solid-body rotation (with System III rotation rate) and differential rotation on cylinders up to a latitude between 20 and 30 degrees are consistent with Jupiter's measured shape. Occultation measurements of Jupiter's shape could provide an independent method to constrain the depth of its zonal winds.