Heat transport in 3D anelastic simulations of the internal dynamics of giant planets without cores

Abstract

Differential rotation, similar to that seen on our gas giants, is manifested at the surface of three-dimensional (3D) computer simulations of thermal convection in density-stratified rotating planets without solid cores. Below the surface, the flow forms short axially-aligned vortices, generated by fluid expanding as it rises and contracting as it sinks. The convergence of the nonlinear Reynolds stresses resulting from the vorticity generated by fluid flowing through the density stratification maintains the surface banded zonal flow without the classical vortex stretching of Taylor columns. These preliminary simulations demonstrate that large non-convecting cores are not required to obtain multiple zonal jets at the surface, and show greater convective heat flux towards the poles relative to that seen at the equator. This result could help explain the nearly uniform with latitude thermal emission observed at the surface of Jupiter.