Go with the flow

Juno data shows a surprising connection between Earth’s oceans and Jupiter’s cyclones

Fluid dynamics studied in Earth’s oceans show what drives Jupiter’s powerful cyclones.

by Robin Bea
enhanced image of cyclones in Jupiter's atmosphere
Enhanced image by Gerald Eichstädt and Sean Doran (CC BY-NC-SA) based on images provided courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS

The roiling storms of Jupiter are one of the most captivating sights in the Solar System, but to one team of researchers, they look strikingly similar to something here on Earth.

Enhanced image by Gerald Eichstädt and Sean Doran (CC BY-NC-SA) based on images provided courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS

Nora Carol Photography/Moment/Getty Images

Research led by oceanographer Lia Siegelman applies fluid dynamics principles used in the study of Earth’s oceans to the cyclones on Jupiter’s north pole.

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