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Image: NASA

NEPTUNE


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Two Images of a global Neptune EPIC model. Shading corresponds to the absolute value of relative vorticity. The left frame shows a GDS-like vortex beginning to disperse as it approaches within 15 degrees of the equator; notice the global-scale disturbances. The right frame is 25 days later, at which point the main vortex is gone and the disturbances have calmed considerably, leaving an equatorial Rossby wave and some small, residual vortices.

Lebeau, R.P. and T.E. Dowling, 1998. Icarus 132, 239 - 265. EPIC simulations of time Dependent, Three Dimensional Vortices with Application to
Neptune's Great Dark Spot. [pdf]

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EPIC model simulations of Neptune's Great Dark Spot (GDS) and Bright Companions by Stratman et al (2001). The blue isosurfaces are eddy relative vorticity (8e-06), which show the position of the GDS. The white isosurfaces are 100% relative humidity, which show the methane cloud positions.
The lower row is the view looking north with longitude on the abscissa and vertical layer on the ordinate (numbered down from the top of the model).
The upper row is the view from overhead with latitude on the ordinate. The cases C, D, and E represent three different initial vertical positions of the model GDS, which is one of the parameters in this study.

Stratman, A.P. Showman, T.E. Dowling, and L. Sromovsky, 2001. Icarus 151, 275-285. EPIC Simulations of Bright Companions to Neptune's
Great Dark Spots. [pdf]

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