The gas giants Jupiter and Saturn exhibit eastward-flowing equatorial jet streams, while the ice giants Uranus and Neptune have westward-flowing ones. This work demonstrates that, under similar conditions, a jet stream can form in either direction, suggesting a common underlying mechanism may govern the atmospheric dynamics of all four planets. The two simulation snapshots illustrate these possible outcomes. Credit: Keren Duer-Milner
One of the most notable properties of the giant planets in our solar system—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune—are the extreme winds observed around their equators. While some of these planets have eastward equatorial winds, others have a westward jet stream...
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