The Magnetic Mechanism for Hotspot Reversals in Hot Jupiter Atmospheres

Magnetically driven hotspot variations (which are tied to atmospheric wind variations) in hot Jupiters are studied using nonlinear numerical simulations of a shallow-water magnetohydrodynamic (SWMHD) system and a linear analysis of equatorial SWMHD waves. In hydrodynamic models, mid-to-high-latitude...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astrophysical journal 2021-12, Vol.922 (2), p.176
Main Authors: Hindle, A. W., Bushby, P. J., Rogers, T. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrophysical fluid dynamics
Astrophysics
Atmospheric models
Energy transfer
Equatorial waves
Exoplanet atmospheres
Exoplanet dynamics
Extrasolar planets
Fluid flow
Gas giant planets
Hot Jupiters
Hydrodynamic models
Jupiter
Linear analysis
Lorentz force
Magnetic fields
Magnetohydrodynamics
Mathematical models
Numerical simulations
Offsets
Planetary waves
Rossby waves
Thermal energy
Wind
Wind variations
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Summary:Magnetically driven hotspot variations (which are tied to atmospheric wind variations) in hot Jupiters are studied using nonlinear numerical simulations of a shallow-water magnetohydrodynamic (SWMHD) system and a linear analysis of equatorial SWMHD waves. In hydrodynamic models, mid-to-high-latitude geostrophic circulations are known to cause a net west-to-east equatorial thermal energy transfer, which drives hotspot offsets eastward. We find that a strong toroidal magnetic field can obstruct these energy transporting circulations. This results in winds aligning with the magnetic field and generates westward Lorentz force accelerations in hotspot regions, ultimately causing westward hotspot offsets. In the subsequent linear analysis we find that this reversal mechanism has an equatorial wave analogy in terms of the planetary-scale equatorial magneto-Rossby waves. We compare our findings to three-dimensional MHD simulations, both quantitatively and qualitatively, identifying the link between the mechanics of magnetically driven hotspot and wind reversals. We use the developed theory to identify physically motivated reversal criteria, which can be used to place constraints on the magnetic fields of ultra-hot Jupiters with observed westward hotspots.
ISSN:0004-637X
1538-4357
DOI:10.3847/1538-4357/ac0e2e