Remote determination of the shape of Jupiter's vortices from laboratory experiments

TL;DR

This study uses laboratory experiments, theory, and simulations to understand the three-dimensional shape of Jupiter's vortices, especially the Great Red Spot, and predicts its thickness and aspect ratios based on environmental factors.

Contribution

It introduces a new framework combining experiments and models to determine the 3D structure of Jovian vortices, including scaling laws and predictions for the Great Red Spot's thickness.

Findings

Predicted horizontal dimensions match Voyager observations.

Derived scaling laws for vortex aspect ratios based on environmental parameters.

Predicted the Great Red Spot's thickness remains constant despite horizontal shrinking.

Abstract

Jupiter's dynamics shapes its cloud patterns but remains largely unknown below this natural observational barrier. Unraveling the underlying three-dimensional flows is thus a primary goal for NASA's ongoing Juno mission that was launched in 2011. Here, we address the dynamics of large Jovian vortices using laboratory experiments complemented by theoretical and numerical analyses. We determine the generic force balance responsible for their three-dimensional pancake-like shape. From this, we define scaling laws for their horizontal and vertical aspect ratios as a function of the ambient rotation, stratification and zonal wind velocity. For the Great Red Spot in particular, our predicted horizontal dimensions agree well with measurements at the cloud level since the Voyager mission in 1979. We additionally predict the Great Red Spot's thickness, inaccessible to direct observation: it has surprisingly remained constant despite the observed horizontal shrinking. Our results now await comparison with upcoming Juno observations.