Abstract
A NEW 11-year record of Jupiter's stratospheric temperature1 shows an equatorial temperature oscillation with an apparent period of 4–5 years. Here we compare this oscillation to two long-period oscillations of zonal winds in the Earth's equatorial stratosphere, and propose that the same mechanism—forcing by the stresses of vertically propagating waves—is responsible for the oscillations on both planets. Jupiter's temperature oscillation has been observed for slightly more than two cycles and closely resembles the temperature signatures of the Earth's semiannual oscillation and quasibiennial oscillation. If the mechanisms responsible for these oscillations are indeed similar, Jupiter's oscillation indicates that there is significant vertical momentum transport due to equatorially trapped atmospheric waves, and it may provide a means for probing the poorly understood process of the generation of these waves by convection2,3.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Orton, G. S. et al. Science 252, 537–542 (1991).
Allison, M. Icarus 83, 282–307 (1990).
Flasar, F. M. & Gierasch, P. J. J. atmos. Sci. 43, 2683–2707 (1986).
Andrews, D. G. et al. Middle Atmosphere Dynamics (Academic, New York, 1990).
Reed, R. J. Q. Jl. R. met. Soc. 90, 441–446 (1965).
Hamilton, K. J. atmos. Sci. 41, 2113–2125 (1984).
Dunkerton, T. J. & Delisi, D. P. J. atmos. Sci. 42, 376–396 (1985).
Hitchman, M. H. & Leovy, C. B. J. atmos. Sci. 43, 3159–3176 (1986).
Holton, J. R. & Lindzen, R. S. J. atmos. Sci. 29, 1076–1080 (1972).
Dunkerton, T. J. J. atmos. Sci. 42, 1151–1161 (1985).
Wallace, J. M. & Kousky, V. E. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 11, 191–222 (1968).
Hamilton, K. & Mahlman, J. J. atmos. Sci. 45, 3212–3235 (1988).
Plumb, R. A. & McEwan, A. D. J. atmos. Sci. 35, 1827–1839 (1978).
Hitchman, M. H. & Leovy, C. B. J. atmos. Sci. 45, 1462–1475 (1988).
Dunkerton, T. J. J. atmos. Sci. 48, 236–263 (1991).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leovy, C., Friedson, A. & Orton, G. The quasiquadrennial oscillation of Jupiter's equatorial stratosphere. Nature 354, 380–382 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/354380a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/354380a0
This article is cited by
-
The symphony of Jupiter
Nature Astronomy (2023)
-
An intense narrow equatorial jet in Jupiter’s lower stratosphere observed by JWST
Nature Astronomy (2023)
-
Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) of the JUICE Mission
Space Science Reviews (2023)
-
Jupiter Science Enabled by ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer
Space Science Reviews (2023)
-
Joint evolution of equatorial oscillation and interhemispheric circulation in Saturn’s stratosphere
Nature Astronomy (2022)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
