Unstructured Grid Dynamical Modeling of Planetary Atmospheres using planetMPAS: The Influence of the Rigid Lid, Computational Efficiency, and Examples of Martian and Jovian Application

TL;DR

planetMPAS is a new planetary circulation model that adapts existing terrestrial physics schemes for Mars and Jupiter, effectively simulating key atmospheric features despite the rigid-lid approximation.

Contribution

This work introduces planetMPAS, a novel planetary atmosphere model integrating terrestrial physics with Jovian microphysics, suitable for slow-rotating planets.

Findings

Successfully simulates Martian seasonal CO2 cycle and dust opacity.

Reproduces Jovian equatorial superrotation and banded winds.

Demonstrates computational efficiency and cross-planet applicability.

Abstract

We present a new planetary global circulation model, planetMPAS, based on the state-of-the-art NCAR MPAS General Circulation Model. Taking advantage of the cross compatibility between WRF and MPAS, planetMPAS includes most of the planetWRF physics parameterization schemes for terrestrial planets such as Mars and Titan. PlanetMPAS also includes a set of physics that represents radiative transfer, dry convection, moist convection and its associated microphysics for the Jovian atmosphere. We demonstrate that, despite the rigid-lid approximation, planetMPAS is suitable to simulate the climate systems in Martian and Jovian atmospheres with potential application to slow-rotating planets such as Titan. Simulations using planetMPAS show that the new model can reproduce many aspects of the observed features on Mars and Jupiter, such as the seasonal CO2 cycle, polar argon enrichment, zonal mean temperature, and qualitative dust opacity on Mars, as well as the equatorial superrotation and banded zonal wind patterns on Jupiter.