01-069

Planetary Atmospheres

Cover Page/Proposal Summary

ROSS-00    NRA 00-OSS-01

Date Due: 4/28/2000

NASA PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING PROPOSALS

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Proposal Type: New Proposal

Proposal Category: Dynamics

Major Equipment Proposal? No

Do you intend to submit an Education/Public Outreach (E/PO) proposal? No

Proposal Title:
Convection in Outer Planet Atmospheres: The Interaction of Convectionwith Radiative Transfer

Abbreviated Proposal Title:
Convection in Outer Planet Atmospheres

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Andrew Friedson
Earth and Space Sciences MS 169-237
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109-8099
Phone: 818-354-2397   Fax: 818-393-4619   E-mail: Andrew.J.Friedson@jpl.nasa.gov

SignatureDate
_________________________________________________

Co-Investigators and Collaborators:
Type    Name    Affiliation    E-mail
Sci Co-I   Dr. Ping Wang   JPL   Ping.Wang@jpl.nasa.gov
Sci Collab   Dr. Glenn S. Orton   JPL   Glenn.Orton@jpl.nasa.gov


Proposal Summary:

We propose to explore the nature of thermal convection in Jupiter and its role in establishing the differential rotation of the atmosphere and interior. Our primary aim is to examine whether turbulent convection in relatively thin layers engenders two-dimensional turbulent behavior similar to that observed in Jupiter's atmosphere. Specifically, we will determine how the nature of the convection, and its associated heat and angular momentum transport, is influenced by (i) the total depth of the convection zone (or zones), (ii) the presence of a 2000-K radiative zone, and (iii) radiative driving that is induced by the latitudinal insolation gradient when a 2000-K radiative zone is present. Numerical simulations exploring these effects will be performed by solving the 3-D anelastic equations of motion in spherical shells. The convection zones studied will be thinner than those of previous studies of Jovian convection in order to be consistent with the latest models of Jupiter's internal structure. Our simulations will be the first to explore the influence of a deep radiative zone on the convection and the dynamical response of the system to the lateral radiative drive induced by the insolation gradient and deep radiative zone. The calculations will be performed on a high-speed massively parallel supercomputer capable of meeting the computational demands imposed by the high spatial and temporal resolution required to model the flow at very high Rayleigh and Taylor numbers.



Certification of Compliance with Applicable Executive Orders and U.S. Code


By submitting the proposal identified in this Cover Sheet/Proposal Summary in response to this NRA or AO, the Authorizing Official of the proposing institution (or the individual proposer if there is no proposing institution) as identified below:

  • certifies that the statements made in this proposal are true and complete to the best of his/her knowledge;
  • agrees to accept the obligations to comply with NASA award terms and conditions if an award is made as a result of this proposal; and
  • confirms compliance with all provisions, rules, and stipulations set forth in the three Certifications contained in this NRA [namely, (i) Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters Primary Cover Transactions, (ii) Certification Regarding Lobbying, and (iii) Certification of Compliance with the NASA Regulations Pursuant to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs].
    Willful provision of false information in this proposal and/or its supporting documents, or in reports required under an ensuing award, is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).