Waves in the Jovian Upper Atmosphere

Abstract

We examine a propagating wave interpretation of the temperature profile features observed in the Jovian upper atmosphere by Veverka et al. Inertia-gravity waves with frequencies on the order of 3 × 103 sec1 are consistent with the data. If the interpretation is correct, and if the waves carry energy upward, it implies 1) that there is excitation of such waves at lower levels, 2) that eddy diffusivities on the order of 106 cm2 sec1 are probably generated by the waves, and 3) that the energy carried by waves is important to the upper atmospheric heat balance.