Numerical simulation of convectively generated vortices: Application to the Jovian planets

Numerical experiments are performed to study the possibility of long-lived vortex generation in rotating convection zones. The domain of computation is a rectangular box with fixed latitude. The fully compressible fluid equations are solved using an explicit, strongly conservative finite difference method. A total of eight cases covering two different latitudes and four different rotation rates were computed. As the rotation rate increases, a long-lived cyclone first appears. The high latitude environment is more favorable for vortex formation. An anticyclone appears when the rotation is adequately fast. Possible implications of the numerical results to the Jovian planets are discussed.