Evolution of vortices formed in Jupiter's atmosphere after the collision of the planet with Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

The evolution of disturbances formed in the Jovian atmosphere after the collision with large fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy is investigated. Simplified equations for the evolution of large vortices in a shallow, horizontally inhomogeneous atmosphere are derived taking account of the latitudinal nonuniformity of the zonal wind and also taking account of viscosity and heat conduction. The results of the numerical simulation of the evolution of the vortices are in good agreement with observations from the Hubble platform. It is shown that the evolution of the vortex structure depends strongly on the zonal wind velocity field in the fall region of a comet fragment. The threshold energy of the initial disturbance at which large, long-lived vortices, such as the Great Red Spot, can form is estimated to be E similar to 10(24) ergs. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.