Synopsis

Our ISSI meetings are devoted to the theoretical description and numerical investigation of the generation of zonal winds and large-scale vortices in turbulent planetary atmospheres. These structures mainly determine the dynamics and transport processes in these regions. We will discuss and theoretically investigate: the various wave modes that exist in the atmosphere-ionosphere system with shear zonal flows (dispersion relations, growth rates, instability thresholds etc.); the similarities between atmospheric waves and waves in collisionless plasmas. Nonlinear dynamics of electromagnetic planetary waves in the weakly ionized ionospheric plasma will be developed; a new possible mechanisms for the generation of large-scale zonal structures by internal gravity waves in the Earth's atmosphere; the role of the charged particles in the nonlinear dynamics of planetary waves; the application of the developed theory to the physics of remote planetary atmospheres. Special attention will be paid to the generation of large-scale nonlinear structures due to wave-wave and wave-zonal flow interactions.

The main goal of the project is to develop a nonlinear theory of wave structures in the atmospheres of the Earth and other planets such as Venus and Jupiter, incorporating all features mentioned above. The present proposal assumes the use of previous experience in this field gained by the members of the team. We plan to present the current state of research related to nonlinear Rossby waves, with a particular focus on the generation of large-scale eddies and zonal winds. Moreover, a special attention will be paid to the study of nonlinear planetary waves in the ionosphere. A part of the project will be dedicated to the interpretation of laboratory, numerical, and observational studies of Rossby waves in planetary atmospheres. A particular attention will be paid to the analysis of the ionospheric responses to man-made activities and extra-ordinary natural phenomena (earthquake, storms, hurricanes etc.).