Boundary layer circulation on Titan
Abstract
A new climate model for Titan's atmosphere has been developed, using the physics of the IPSL Titan 2-dimensional climate model with the current version of the LMDZ General Circulation Model's dynamical core. The GCM covers altitudes from the surface to 500 km with the diurnal cycle and the gravitational tides included. We realized a complete study of thermal structure of Titan's lower troposphere at the Huygen's site [2]. We show that a convective boundary layer develops during the morning on Titan reaching a maximal height of 800 m. We interpreted the slope change in the HASI' s thermal profile at 2 km corresponding to a trapping of the Hadley circulation. Then we discuss the consequences of this boundary layer circulation for winds, clouds and exchange of momentum.
- Publication:
-
European Planetary Science Congress 2012
- Pub Date:
- September 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012epsc.conf..631C