Giant Planet Interior Dynamics: Recent Progress and Open Questions

Explore the fascinating dynamics of giant planet interiors in this 48-minute lecture from UCLA's Institute for Pure & Applied Mathematics workshop on Rotating Turbulence. Delve into the intriguing dichotomy between the solar system's giant planets, examining how Jupiter and Saturn display axial-dipole-dominant magnetic fields and equatorial super-rotation, while Uranus and Neptune exhibit multipolar magnetic fields and equatorial sub-rotation. Learn about recent discoveries regarding zonal flows, magnetic field morphology, time variations, and deep interior stratification of these celestial bodies. Examine how rotating turbulence scaling laws apply to giant planets and understand the current challenges and open questions surrounding their internal mechanisms. Gain insights from Professor Hao Cao's expertise on the complex relationship between magnetic fields, surface differential rotation, and internal planetary dynamics that continue to puzzle scientists today.