Evidence for multiple Ferrel-like cells on Jupiter

TL;DR

This paper presents evidence from Juno data indicating multiple Ferrel-like meridional circulation cells in Jupiter's atmosphere, revealing complex sub-cloud dynamics and extending understanding of planetary atmospheric circulation.

Contribution

It provides the first observational evidence of multiple Ferrel-like cells on Jupiter, supported by microwave data and simplified modeling, expanding knowledge of giant planet atmospheres.

Findings

Evidence for 8 meridional cells per hemisphere

Microwave data shows clear upwelling and downwelling regions

Simplistic model reproduces ammonia observations

Abstract

Jupiter's atmosphere is dominated by multiple jet streams which are strongly tied to its 3D atmospheric circulation. Lacking a rigid bottom boundary, several models exist for how the meridional circulation extends into the planetary interior. Here we show, collecting evidence from multiple instruments of the Juno mission, the existence of mid-latitudinal meridional circulation cells which are driven by turbulence, similar to the Ferrel cells on Earth. Different than Earth, which contains only one such cell in each hemisphere, the larger, faster rotating Jupiter can incorporate multiple cells. The cells form regions of upwelling and downwelling, which we show are clearly evident in Juno's microwave data between latitude 60S and 60N. The existence of these cells is confirmed by reproducing the ammonia observations using a simplistic model. This study solves a long-standing puzzle regarding the nature of Jupiter's sub-cloud dynamics and provides evidence for 8 cells in each Jovian hemisphere.