Atmospheric Circulation on Slowly Rotating Planets in the Solar System, and Beyond

Atmospheric circulation on Venus and Titan is dominated by prograde superrotating jets at the equator, and meridional overturning circulation that extends a significant distance to the poles. Circulation of this type is characteristic of planets that are slowly rotating. By contrast, the atmospheres of the Earth and Mars, which are more rapidly rotating, feature zonal jets in midlatitudes, and overturning circulation that is confined to the tropics. In this talk, we will consider the mechanisms that give rise to circulation differences between slowly and rapidly rotating planets. However, planetary rotation is not the only factor that determines atmospheric circulation! In this talk, we will see that the meteorologies of Venus and Titan are less similar than they appear at first glance, and explore the factors that distinguish the planets from each other. Finally, we will analyse circulation on extrasolar planets, drawing on our understanding of atmospheric dynamics in the Solar System.