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Science 22 February 1991:
Vol. 251. no. 4996, pp. 929 - 932
DOI: 10.1126/science.251.4996.929
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Articles

High Winds of Neptune: A Possible Mechanism

V. E. SUOMI 1, S. S. LIMAYE 1, and D. R. JOHNSON 1

1 Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1225 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706

Neptune receives only 1/900th of the earth's solar energy, but has wind speeds of nearly 600 meters per second. How the near-supersonic winds can be maintained has been a puzzle. A plausible mechanism, based on principles of angular momentum and energy conservation in conjunction with deep convection, leads to a regime of uniform angular momentum at low latitudes. In this model, the rapid retrograde winds observed are a manifestation of deep convection, and the high efficiency of the planet's heat engine is intrinsic from the room allowed at low latitudes for reversible processes, the high temperatures at which heat is added to the atmosphere, and the low temperatures at which heat is extracted.

Submitted on October 4, 1990
Accepted on January 2, 1991


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Interior Structure of Neptune: Comparison with Uranus.
W. B. Hubbard, W. B. HUBBARD, W. J. NELLIS, A. C. MITCHELL, N. C. HOLMES, S. S. LIMAYE, and P. C. MCCANDLESS (1991)
Science 253, 648-651
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