Polar vortex crystals: Emergence and structure
Lia Siegelman1, William R Young1, Andrew P Ingersoll2
1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093.
Summary
Vortex crystals, observed in Jupiter
Area of Science:
- Geophysics and Plasma Physics
- Fluid Dynamics and Turbulence
Background:
- Vortex crystals are ordered structures of vortices found in rotating fluids.
- These phenomena are observed in planetary atmospheres, such as Jupiter's poles, and in laboratory plasma experiments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spontaneous formation and long-term stability of vortex crystals.
- To identify the key parameters governing vortex crystal characteristics in a simplified model.
Main Methods:
- Simulations of two-dimensional turbulence on an idealized polar cap.
- Analysis of vortex dynamics and statistical properties during free evolution.
Main Results:
- Vortex crystals spontaneously form from random turbulence.
- These structures are remarkably stable, persisting for at least 300 rotation periods.
- A fundamental length scale (Lγ) is identified, dependent on fluid velocity and planetary parameters.
Conclusions:
- Vortex crystals can emerge from generic turbulent flows in rotating systems.
- The identified length scale provides a theoretical basis for understanding vortex crystal size.
- The findings have implications for understanding atmospheric dynamics on Jupiter and other celestial bodies.
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