Venus vortices go for chaotic multi-storey strolls around the poles
Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 15:06
in Earth & Climate
A detailed study of Venus' South Polar Vortex shows a much more chaotic and unpredictable cyclone than previously thought. The analysis reveals that the center of rotation of the vortex wanders around the pole differently at different altitude levels in the clouds of Venus. In its stroll around the Pole, in layers separated by 20 km, the vortex experiences unpredictable changes in its morphology. The results of this study are published online in Nature Geoscience today.