EPIC Modeling of Large Scale Dynamical Features of the Gas Giants

Numerical modeling of the atmospheric structure and dynamical features of the gas giants is important to understanding the evolution of the solar system. Ground and space-based observations of the gas giants have provided a plethora of data on dynamical features, which are used as an input into our model. This in turn, helps us diagnose underlying characteristics of the atmosphere which cannot be directly determined. For example, the amount of condensible species we add to our model directly affects the dynamics of the simulated features, which allows us to diagnose the atmospheric abundances and structure of the rest of the planet by comparing simulation output to the observations. These properties can be incorporated into planet formation models and will allow us to further our understanding of the origin and early evolution of the solar system. In this study, we simulate a high-speed jet region on Jupiter and the Great Dark Spot (GDS) observed by the Voyager spacecraft on Neptune. The Jupiter simulations demonstrate that convective cloud formation is responsible for the observed bands. On Neptune, our simulations of the GDS match the observed features seen by Voyager. Furthermore, we notice a unique decoupling between the rotation of the GDS and the amount of methane within, which has implications for the nature of these dark spots, and possibly to the dark spots found recently. As we look to increase observations of the outer planets and possibly send a probe to the ice-giants in the next decade, our work will significantly enhance the scientific yield of these missions. Additionally, constraining the unique properties of their atmospheres' can help refine atmospheric modeling on Earth.