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Temperature and circulation in the stratospheres of the outer planetsA zonally symmetric, linear radiative-dynamical model is compared with observations of the upper tropospheres and stratospheres of the outer planets. Seasonal variation is included in the model. Friction is parameterized by linear drag (Rayleigh friction). Gas opacities are accounted for but aerosols are omitted. Horizontal temperature gradients are small on all the planets. Seasonal effects are strongest on Saturn and Neptune but are weak even in these cases, because the latitudinal gradient of radiative heating is weak. Seasonal effects on Uranus are extremely weak because the radiative time constant is longer that the orbital period. One free parameter in the model is the frictional time constant. Comparison with observed temperature perturbations over zonal currents in the troposphere shows that the frictional time constant is on the same order as the radiative time constant for all these objects. Vertical motions predicted by the model are extremely weak. They are much smaller than one scale height per orbital period, except in the immediate neighborhood of tropospheric and zonal currents.
Document ID
19890010680
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Conrath, Barney J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY., United States)
Gierasch, Peter J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Leroy, Stephen S.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena., United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-184826
NAS 1.26:184826
Accession Number
89N20051
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-813
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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