The number and location of Jupiter's circumpolar cyclones explained by vorticity dynamics

TL;DR

This paper explains the number and placement of Jupiter's polar cyclones using vorticity dynamics, successfully predicting their locations and differences with Saturn, highlighting the role of barotropic dynamics in planetary vortex behavior.

Contribution

The study introduces a theoretical framework based on vorticity gradients to predict the number and location of circumpolar cyclones on Jupiter, aligning well with observations.

Findings

Predicts the latitude and number of Jovian circumpolar cyclones.

Explains why Jupiter has circumpolar cyclones while Saturn does not.

Supports barotropic dynamics as key in polar vortex behavior.

Abstract

The Juno mission observed that both poles of Jupiter have polar cyclones that are surrounded by a ring of circumpolar cyclones. The North Pole holds eight circumpolar cyclones and the South Pole possesses five, with both circumpolar rings positioned along latitude ~84{\deg} N/S. Here we explain the location, stability, and number of the Jovian circumpolar cyclones by establishing the primary forces that act on them, which develop because of vorticity gradients in the background of a cyclone. In the meridional direction, the background vorticity varies owning to the planetary sphericity and the presence of the polar cyclone. In the zonal direction, the vorticity varies by the presence of adjacent cyclones in the ring. Our analysis successfully predicts the latitude and number of circumpolar cyclones for both poles, according to the size and spin of the respective polar cyclone. Moreover, the analysis successfully predicts that Jupiter can hold circumpolar cyclones while Saturn currently cannot. The match between the theory and observations implies that vortices in the polar regions of the giant planets are largely governed by barotropic dynamics, and that the movement of other vortices at high-latitudes is also driven by interaction with the background vorticity.