Quick question: Why is Saturns atmosphere LESS stormy than Jupiters?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the differences in atmospheric activity between Saturn and Jupiter, exploring potential reasons for why Saturn's atmosphere is considered less stormy. Participants consider factors such as mass, temperature, energy from the Sun, and other variables influencing atmospheric dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Saturn's lower mass compared to Jupiter contributes to its less stormy atmosphere.
  • Others propose that Saturn's greater distance from the Sun results in lower energy input, which may reduce convection currents and atmospheric activity.
  • One participant notes that while proximity to the Sun may play a role, it cannot fully explain the differences, citing Neptune as an example of a distant planet with an active atmosphere.
  • Another participant emphasizes the complexity of the issue, mentioning various factors such as gravity effects from moons and the composition of the atmospheres that could influence storm activity.
  • It is mentioned that Jupiter's hot core, attributed to its larger mass, may also contribute to its more dynamic atmospheric conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the primary factors influencing atmospheric activity, indicating that multiple competing explanations exist without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the complexity of atmospheric dynamics and the interplay of various factors that are not fully resolved in the discussion.

nukeman
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Hi everyone,

Title says it all. Is it because of the temp difference? Is it because has more mass, so is it because Jupiter has a larger atmosphere?

Thanks,
 
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Saturn has less mass than Jupiter.

And yes I believe it's due to its proximity to the Sun, and the lower amount of energy it receives to fuel convection currents and all the good stuff that goes into making weather.
 
Mu naught said:
Saturn has less mass than Jupiter.

And yes I believe it's due to its proximity to the Sun, and the lower amount of energy it receives to fuel convection currents and all the good stuff that goes into making weather.

If this were the only force at work, we would expect atmospheric activity to fall off monotonically as distance with the sun increases. It does not. Neptune has a very active atmosphere, for example.

Surely this contributes, but it is not the whole, or even the majority, of the story for explaining the differences in the Jovian planets' atmospheres.
 
I'd say there are too many factors and variables to really say why. Differences in mass, distance from the sun, gravity effects from moons, makeup of the atmospheres, and possibly a thousand other things would have an effect.
 
Jupiter also has a very hot core [due to mass], which also fuels atmospheric effects.
 

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