If Jupiter rotates in one direction why do we see bands of clouds rotating in the opposite direction to which the planet rotates? Wouldn't the direction of rotation of the Jupiter (or any other planet for that matter) dictate the direction that any gases/winds rotated?

 

Thanks

If Jupiter rotates in one direction why do we see bands of clouds rotating in the opposite direction to which the planet rotates? Wouldn't the direction of rotation of the Jupiter (or any other planet for that matter) dictate the direction that any gases/winds rotated?

 

Thanks

I'm not familiar with how atmospheric circulation patterns work. The prograde and retrograde zonal winds of Jupiter seem to be an effect of known atmospheric mechanisms, though:

 

The visible surface of Jupiter is divided in a number of bands parallel to the equator. There are two types of bands: lightly colored zones and relatively dark belts....

-and-

 

...

The Jovian bands are bounded by zonal atmospheric flows (winds), called jets. The westward (retrograde) jets are found at the transition from zones to belts (going away from the equator), whereas eastward (prograde) jets mark the transition from belts to zones.^[5] Such flow velocity patterns mean that the zonal winds decrease in belts and increase in zones from the equator to the pole. Therefore wind shear in belts is cyclonic, while in zones it is anticyclonic...

(ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Jupiter#Zones.2C_belts_and_jets )

 

This article and its links might provide you with an explanation. Another Wikipedia article that may shed some light on your question is the one on atmospheric circulation. It all seems pretty complicated to me but I think the major mechanism is a feature called Hadley Cells. The article can be found here:

 

http://en.wikipedia....ric_circulation

 

Chris

I'm not familiar with how atmospheric circulation patterns work. The prograde and retrograde zonal winds of Jupiter seem to be an effect of known atmospheric mechanisms, though:

 

 

(ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Jupiter#Zones.2C_belts_and_jets )

 

This article and its links might provide you with an explanation. Another Wikipedia article that may shed some light on your question is the one on atmospheric circulation. It all seems pretty complicated to me but I think the major mechanism is a feature called Hadley Cells. The article can be found here:

 

http://en.wikipedia....ric_circulation

 

Chris[/color][/size]

 

 

 

Thanks. From the Wiki website above "The origin of Jupiter's banded structure is not completely clear" ....QED.