| Abstract: Measurements of the vertical structure of Jupiter's
circulation have recently been made near the equator by the Galileo
spacecraft probe. In other regions, planetary vortices exist selectively
for a limited range of generic (exponential) vertical forms and can be
used to probe the atmospheric structure theoretically. A study of vortex
genesis with a three-dimensional numerical model produces reasonably realistic
simulations of the Great Red Spot for both the generic and galilean forms,
provided that Jupiter's winds do not extend much beyond a 500 km depth.
However, the actual depth of the winds remains uncertain. |