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Winds and the Coriolis Effect on Other Planets


Venus

Venus

Venus is about the same size as the Earth. Its atmosphere is extremely dense. Because the planet rotates very slowly the Coriolis Effect on Venus is extremely weak.

Galileo image, courtesy National Space Science Data Center


Earth

Earth

Rotating on its axis about once every 24 hours the Coriolis Effect on the motion of the Earth's atmosphere is quite strong, creating continent sized swirls of cloud systems which are easily visible from space.

Apollo 17 image, courtesy National Space Science Data Center


Mars

Mars

Mars has a very tenuous atmosphere. With the exception of vast dust storms, visible weather systems are not easily seen on Mars.

Mars' small size reduces the Coriolis Effect.

Hubble Space Telescope image, courtesy National Space Science Data Center


Jupiter

Jupiter

Jupiter is more than 11 times the diameter of the Earth, and rotates on its axis (one Jovian day) in 9.8 hours. Jupiter's large size and rapid rotation create a very large Coriolis Effect in its atmosphere. The winds in the Jovian atmosphere are deflected so strongly that they form hurricane-force gales blowing in East-West bands around the planet.

It is the Coriolis Effect that is responsible for Jupiters banded appearance.

Hubble Space Telescope image, courtesy National Space Science Data Center


Saturn

Saturn

Saturn is also a very large planet, almost 9.5 times the diameter of the Earth. A full day (one complete rotation) of Saturn lasts only 10.5 hours. As with Jupiter, the combined effect of rapid rotation and large size create a very large Coriolis Effect in Saturn's atmosphere.

The striped appearance of Saturn is created by a very large Coriolis Effect.

Hubble Space Telescope image, courtesy National Space Science Data Center

 

Prepared by YES I Can! Science Team at McMaster University,
for the Canadian Space Agency.