Venus's major cloud feature as an equatorially trapped wave distorted by the wind

DOI: 
10.1002/2014GL062280
Publication date: 
16/02/2015
Main author: 
Peralta J.
IAA authors: 
Peralta J.;Lõpez-Valverde M.A.
Authors: 
Peralta J., Sánchez-Lavega A., Lõpez-Valverde M.A., Luz D., MacHado P.
Journal: 
Geophysical Research Letters
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
42
Pages: 
705-711
Number: 
Abstract: 
The superrotation of the atmospheres of slowly rotating bodies is a long-standing problem yet unsolved in atmospheric dynamics. On Venus, the most extreme case known of superrotation, this is accompanied and influenced by a recurrent planetary-scale cloud structure, known as the Y feature. So far, no model has simultaneously reproduced its shape, temporal evolution, related wind field, nor the relation between its dynamics and the unknown UV-absorbing aerosol that produces its dark morphology. In this paper we present an analytical model for a Kelvin-like wave that offers an explanation of these peculiarities. Under Venus cyclostrophic conditions, this wave is equatorially and vertically trapped where zonal winds peak and extends 7 km in altitude, and its vertical wind perturbations are shown to produce upwelling of the UV absorber. The Y-feature morphology and its 30 day evolution are reproduced as distortions of the wave structure by the Venus winds. © 2015 The Authors.
Database: 
WOK
SCOPUS
ADS
SCOPUS
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2015GeoRL..42..705P/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2015GeoRL..42..705P
Keywords: 
clouds; Venus; waves