Evolution of coherent modes in the dynamics of planetary polar vortices

Project acronym:	HyIII-CNRS-25
Name of Group Leader:	L. Montabone, The Open University, Milton Keynes,
User-Project Title:	Evolution of coherent modes in the dynamics of planetary polar vortices
Facility:	Coriolis platform
Proceedings TA Project:	Barotropic instability of planetary polar vortices: civ analysis of specific multi-lobed structures
Data Management Report:	There is no Data Management Report available for this project

User-Project Objectives

Summary:

Polar vortices represent a key element in the atmospheric dynamics of the planets. They are common structures which are observed in any planet with an atmosphere, including the Earth, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. Polar vortices are of interest because they act as a barrier, inhibiting energy transport and potentially preventing the mixing of aerosols and chemical species

This project is intended to investigate in the laboratory the evolution of the coherent modes at the edge of the polar vortices, which are produced by barotropic instability. It is intended to be the continuation and the evolution of our previous experiments carried out in the 5 m diameter rotating tank in Trondheim, this time using advanced techniques of flow visualization, specifically designed for global Eulerian measurements. This project will make extensively use of the Correlation Image Velocimetry (CIV), developed at the Coriolis/LEGI laboratory in Grenoble, to yield high resolution Eulerian velocity measurements from the very beginning of each planned experimental run. Click here for further information about this project on the CNRS website.

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