All articles tagged with #atmospheric dynamics
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have detected a new 10-sided polygon (a decagon) at Saturn’s south pole, adding to the planet’s famous north-pole hexagon. The pattern is a cloud-formed atmospheric feature, not a solid surface, likely shaped by waves and jet streams; researchers will continue monitoring with Hubble and JWST to understand its origin, duration, and how deep these structures extend.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have spotted a rare 10-sided decagonal storm encircling Saturn’s south pole, a newly formed atmospheric pattern not seen before in the planet’s southern hemisphere. The feature appears distinct from the famous northern hexagon and seems to be developing, with traces dating back to observations starting in 2023. Researchers plan further study with Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope, and computer models to understand how it formed, how long it will last, and how it compares to Saturn’s north-pole pattern.
Neptune hosts the solar system’s fastest winds—about 2,000 km/h (roughly 1,200 mph)—well above Earth’s Category 1 hurricane speeds (minimum 119 km/h). These speeds were first inferred from Voyager 2’s 1989 cloud-tracking flyby and later confirmed by ALMA measurements at known pressure levels. Scientists think the winds are powered more by internal heat and planetary rotation than by sunlight, with a shallow atmospheric layer (roughly 1,000 km deep) driving the stormy weather. Neptune’s extreme distance means little solar input, and with one Neptune year equal to 165 Earth years, our data come from a small, early snapshot—awaiting future probes to reveal more of its atmospheric mysteries.
Neptune hosts the fastest winds in the solar system—over 2,000 km/h—despite daylight being about 900 times dimmer than Earth’s, because it radiates more internal heat than it absorbs from the Sun. Rapid rotation, convection, atmospheric waves and low drag organize this energy into broad east-west jets; the planet’s weather layer is likely relatively shallow, and a heat surplus drives the storms. Voyager 2 measured near-2,000 km/h winds during its 1989 flyby; later observations show persistent jets with changing vortices, but the exact mechanism remains debated and likely a combination of internal heat, atmospheric dynamics, and rotation. Future missions could help pinpoint how Neptune converts energy into its striking winds.
JWST transit observations of WASP-121 b reveal a clear day–night atmospheric split: the evening terminator is hotter and expands more, absorbing more starlight, likely driven by eastward winds; CO signals rise with temperature, while water is depleted at the upper atmosphere, hinting at clouds cooling the morning side. By tracking the planet's rotation during transit, researchers map atmospheric conditions by longitude and aim to study more ultra-hot Jupiters with this method.
High-resolution transit spectroscopy of seven ultrahot Jupiters with MAROON-X and ESPRESSO measured planetary Fe I line Doppler shifts to infer wind speeds, revealing faster wind decay with higher equilibrium temperatures consistent with magnetic drag. From this trend, the study estimates magnetic field strengths for hot giant exoplanets of at most a few gauss, comparable to Jupiter’s field, supporting magnetic effects in atmospheric circulation and providing benchmarks for magnetic-field scaling laws across exoplanets.
Astronomers using data from JAXA's Akatsuki probe identify the largest hydraulic jump in the solar system, where turbulence in Venus's lower cloud layer triggers a strong updraft that lofts sulfuric acid vapor into the upper clouds, creating a giant, slow-moving cloud front.
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists studied the complex, chaotic weather of SIMP 0136, a brown dwarf 20 light-years away, revealing layered, turbulent atmospheres with dynamic cloud formations and vertical mixing, providing insights into atmospheric processes on similar exoplanets.
A new study models Venus's surface wind and dust conditions using limited data, revealing regional differences in temperature swings and wind patterns, which will aid future missions like DaVINCI, Envision, and Veritas in preparing for surface conditions and potential dust storms.
A new study models Venus's surface wind and dust conditions using limited data, revealing regional differences in temperature swings and wind patterns, which will aid upcoming missions like DaVINCI, Envision, and Veritas in understanding the planet's environment.
Astronomers have detected record-breaking supersonic winds on the exoplanet WASP-127b, reaching speeds of 20,500 mph, driven by stellar irradiation and low gravity, providing new insights into the atmospheric dynamics of hot Jupiters and expanding our understanding of extreme planetary weather.
Scientists have observed large dark ovals on Jupiter's poles in ultraviolet light, believed to be caused by 'magnetic tornadoes' stirring up stratospheric haze. These ovals, first seen in the 1990s, absorb more UV light and suggest strong atmospheric forces at play. The research, published in Nature Astronomy, highlights the importance of understanding atmospheric dynamics across different planets, offering insights into Earth's climate systems.
A new study published in Nature Communications challenges the widely accepted belief that the ozone layer is recovering. The study suggests that the ozone hole above Antarctica may not be shrinking as expected and may even be expanding. The researchers found that ozone levels have decreased by 26% since 2004 at the core of the hole during the Antarctic spring. They attribute this depletion to changes in the Antarctic polar vortex, although they did not explore the specific causes. Some scientists are skeptical of the study's findings, pointing to other factors such as smoke from wildfires and volcanic eruptions, as well as the influence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation.
A new study published in Nature Communications challenges the widely accepted belief that the ozone layer is recovering. The study suggests that the ozone hole above Antarctica may not be shrinking as expected and may even be expanding. The researchers found that ozone levels have reduced by 26% since 2004 at the core of the hole during Antarctic spring. They attribute this to changes in the Antarctic polar vortex, although other factors such as planet-warming pollution and volcanic eruptions could also contribute. Some scientists are skeptical of the study's findings, citing exceptional events and a short period of analysis.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a high-speed jet stream over Jupiter's equator, measuring more than 3,000 miles wide and traveling at about 320 mph. This finding, observed using the telescope's Near-Infrared Camera, provides new insights into Jupiter's turbulent atmosphere and may help researchers understand the planet's extreme weather patterns. By comparing the data with previous observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists hope to gain a clearer understanding of the wind speeds and atmospheric dynamics on Jupiter.