Cycles of Activity in the Jovian Atmosphere

TL;DR

This paper investigates the long-term cyclical activity patterns in Jupiter's atmosphere, combining multi-spectral data and Earth-based observations to understand the underlying causes of belt and zone variations.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of Jovian atmospheric cycles using multi-spectral data and Earth-based observations, linking surface phenomena to deep atmospheric processes.

Findings

Identification of two major upheaval events in Jupiter's belts

Correlation between visible color changes and thermal, chemical, aerosol variations

Support for the existence of long-term atmospheric cycles

Abstract

Jupiter's banded appearance may appear unchanging to the casual observer, but closer inspection reveals a dynamic, ever-changing system of belts and zones with distinct cycles of activity. Identification of these long-term cycles requires access to datasets spanning multiple jovian years, but explaining them requires multi-spectral characterization of the thermal, chemical, and aerosol changes associated with visible color variations. The Earth-based support campaign for Juno's exploration of Jupiter has already characterized two upheaval events in the equatorial and temperate belts that are part of long-term jovian cycles, whose underlying sources could be revealed by Juno's exploration of Jupiter's deep atmosphere.