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Dynamics of Saturn's South Polar Vortex

Dyudina, Ulyana A. and Ingersoll, Andrew P. and Ewald, Shawn P. and Vasavada, Ashwin R. and West, Robert A. and Del Genio, Anthony D. and Barbara, John M. and Porco, Carolyn C. and Achterberg, Richard K. and Flasar, F. Michael and Simon-Miller, Amy A. and Fletcher, Leigh N. (2008) Dynamics of Saturn's South Polar Vortex. Science, 319 (5871). p. 1801. ISSN 0036-8075. doi:10.1126/science.1153633. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20141114-100502780

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Abstract

The camera onboard the Cassini spacecraft has allowed us to observe many of Saturn's cloud features. We present observations of Saturn's south polar vortex (SPV) showing that it shares some properties with terrestrial hurricanes: cyclonic circulation, warm central region (the eye) surrounded by a ring of high clouds (the eye wall), and convective clouds outside the eye. The polar location and the absence of an ocean are major differences. It also shares properties with the polar vortices on Venus, such as polar location, cyclonic circulation, warm center, and long lifetime, but the Venus vortices have cold collars and are not associated with convective clouds. The SPV's combination of properties is unique among vortices in the solar system.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1153633 DOIArticle
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/319/5871/1801PublisherArticle
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/319/5871/1801/suppl/DC1PublisherSupporting Online Material
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Ingersoll, Andrew P.0000-0002-2035-9198
Ewald, Shawn P.0000-0002-1567-9154
Vasavada, Ashwin R.0000-0003-2665-286X
West, Robert A.0000-0002-4320-2599
Fletcher, Leigh N.0000-0001-5834-9588
Additional Information:© 2008 American Association for the Advancement of Science. Received 30 November 2007; accepted 25 January 2008. This research was supported by the NASA Cassini Project.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NASAUNSPECIFIED
Issue or Number:5871
DOI:10.1126/science.1153633
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20141114-100502780
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20141114-100502780
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:51760
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:14 Nov 2014 18:51
Last Modified:10 Nov 2021 19:15

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